Somerville FAQs_31 March 2021 (1).pdf -

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Somerville Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) FAQs ● Why provide supervised consumption sites (SCS)? o Decades of research and experience in dozens of countries have shown that SCS are a highly effective way to prevent overdoses and save lives. They also help connect people to treatment and other social services, and improve the conditions in the neighborhood in which they are located. ● Won’t an SCS increase drug use and crime in the neighborhood(s) in which they are located? o In fact, studies have shown that SCS reduce public drug use, minimize drug paraphernalia litter, and decrease public disturbances. They do not to increase crime in the surrounding neighborhoods. Moreover, supervised consumption sites do not attract new drug users or more drug use; they simply provide a less chaotic, non-isolating environment for vulnerable people. They minimize personal and neighborhood chaos stemming from the overdose crisis. ● Do we need a site like this in Somerville? o Between 2015 and 2019, more than 75 Somerville residents lost their lives to an accidental opioid overdose, according to Mass DPH statistics, and overdoses in Somerville have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. These people were our friends, family members, and loved ones. We have an obligation to do more to address the overdose crisis, and SCS are one critical tool in our toolbox. ● Has a proposed site been chosen in Somerville? o At this time, no site has been selected. A task force has been meeting monthly to provide critical information on what a supervised consumption site might look like, including guidance on location, type of structure, services offered, and staffing. A community engagement process will be undertaken with key stakeholders once a site or sites are proposed to ensure community feedback and input. ● What neighborhoods have been proposed? o SCS are most effective in neighborhoods that are highly affected by the overdose crisis (i.e., those that experience a significant number of overdoses, have a high density of people using drugs in public, etc.). That being said, a specific neighborhood or neighborhoods have yet to be selected. ● What organization(s) would operate the site? o An organization has not yet been chosen to manage or implement supervised consumption site services in the City of Somerville. Guidance will be provided by the task force in a written document. Revised March 31, 2021 Authored by: Alexandra B Collins & Brandon DL Marshall ● What types of services will be provided? o In most countries in which they operate, SCS provide much more than supervised consumption. They offer clients naloxone, condoms, sterile injection equipment, and other supplies to keep them safe. Nurses, counsellors, and/or peer recovery support specialists can also provide referrals to health and social services, such as housing agencies. Connecting clients with treatment is also a major goal of most SCS. Some SCS even provide treatment on-site (e.g., buprenorphine induction). It is also possible to provide basic clinical services such as wound care, abscess management, and STI screenings. The specific services to be provided at an SCS in Somerville will be guided by the recommendation of the task force and will be implemented by the organization selected to operate such a site. ● What would happen if a young person who has never injected or used drugs attempts to use the site? o Although specific protocols will be developed by the organization selected to operate the site, at most SCS in Canada and other countries, persons who have never injected or used drugs are screened at entry and referred to other services. Nurses or employees of the SCS can also provide education and other supplies (e.g., naloxone) to all keep everyone safe. ● How would the SCS be funded? o At this time, the City and task force are exploring options to ensure sustainable sources of funding if an SCS is implemented. ● How would we know if an SCS is meeting people’s needs? o An Oversight & Evaluation Committee will be established to ensure ongoing evaluation of the services provided. The task force will provide recommendations for committee membership. ● What role would the Somerville Police Department play? o The Community Outreach Health & Recovery Office of the Somerville Police Department are critical partners on the task force and would be key partners in the creation of an SCS. As front-line staff working with potential SCS clients, they are supportive of this effort and have been the connection to Police leadership. The task force will provide recommendations for how to work with the Somerville Police Department. For additional information, please see: https://d5e387bc-53d6-4733- 81d91157ea24c80e.filesusr.com/ugd/3bbb1a_ba0777f63ed54d0bb44a43c589d9b608.pdf Revised March 31, 2021 Authored by: Alexandra B Collins & Brandon DL Marshall