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| Northern Health has introduced a harm reduction vending machine outside of Prince Rupert Regional Hospital which features a range of items for community to access |
That came with the placement of a vending machine at the front entrance to the city's hospital, described as the first of its kind for the North.
The vending machine is to offer up such items as safe injection packs, safe inhalation packages, Naxalone kits, Fentanyl test strips condoms, Sharps disposal units, PPE items, socks, basic wound care supplies, feminine hygiene products and items described as seasonal in nature.
Northern Health hasn't followed up with much more information on the project other than some notes for the weekly paper last week at the unveiling for invited guests.
Their social media stream dedicated to Prince Rupert or the Northern Health website itself yet to make note of the new service for the community.
Also missing from the conversation on the new feature was North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health, so the North Coast Review reached out to her office for some thoughts on the Northern Health program.
Below is Her statement to the topic, a mx of information related to the Prince Rupert project, an overall view of the government's philosophy on the level of care required and bit of partisan politics to put the wrap up to it.
The Health Vending Machine initiative is a harm reduction service coordinated by Northern Health that will support the broad distribution of harm reduction supplies.
By doing so, this initiative will work towards reducing the transmission of blood borne pathogens by decreasing the incidence of sharing and re-using of substance use equipment.
The contents of the health vending machines are tailored to meet both community and seasonal needs.
The ability to access these supplies anonymously and 24/7 will help reduce barriers for people.
This initiative will complement existing community services by serving clients outside of business hours, and reaching people who would not otherwise access in-person services.
We’re committed to finding compassionate solutions to address this complex issue. That means investments along the full continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, and aftercare.
We will continue to build a comprehensive mental health and addictions system of care for British Columbians – one that simply did not exist at all under the former government. "
Jennifer Rice, MLA, North Coast
Of note from the statement is the segment directed towards treatment, recovery and aftercare.
Some of that, as noted by the MLA, is provided in the community through a range of services from Northern Health and Trinity Men's Recovery House.
However, something that has long been called for in the way of a fixed asset towards assisting those in need in Prince Rupert, that of a one stop resource centre in the community still seems but a hopeful concept.
The closest the region seems to be to that type of service is a proposal from the Northern First Nations Alliance which has hopes of creating a wellness detox Centre in the Northwest, to be placed in the Terrace area.
A feasibility study towards such a facility for the Terrace area was started in the spring of 2022.
That initiative has received the endorsement of Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, along with his fellow BC United MLA Michael Lee.
Mr. Lee recently forwarded a letter to Metal Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside expressing the urgent need for such a facility in the region.
More notes on Health Care in Prince Rupert can be reviewed here.
It’s astonishing that “harm reduction” is seen as acceptable. Our governments and public entities shouldn’t be advocating for harm at all. Let’s get these people help and work to remove them from harm, not a continuation of it.
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