Frequently Asked Questions
What is an OPS?
- A safe, hygienic environment for people to inject pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of staff.
- We provide sterile injection supplies, education, overdose prevention and intervention, nursing and other services and referrals.
- A low barrier, lifesaving service to address the opioid crisis which has affected the Dundas/Sherbourne area quite acutely.
Why an OPS at Street Health?
- Opioid deaths in Ontario have increased by 52% and emergency room visits due to suspected overdose have increased by 72% in the past year.
- Toronto Public Health has identified our neighbourhood as a ‘hot spot’ for overdose.
- We have been delivering harm reduction services in the community for many years
- The service is located in the fully-accessible backyard coach house within our existing space.
- The service has two booths for supervised injection and a small area for post-consumption monitoring.
- The service operates during our current opening hours and is staffed by experienced harm reduction workers with nursing back up.
- Most of the people using the service will be existing clients.
What are the benefits of an OPS?
- Reducing the number of drug overdoses
- Reducing the risk factors leading to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
- Enabling access to & Increasing the use of detox and drug treatment services
- Connecting people with other health and social services
- Reducing the number of publicly discarded needles; and
- Reducing the cost of health care services.