Safe injection site causing concerns for nearby residents: community group

A Sandy Hill community organization is saying a nearby safe injection site is creating several issues with residents in the area. 

This comes after Veronica Ackland, property manager for Gorfay Realty, told CityNews Ottawa earlier this month that a four unit property on Besserer and Nelson streets has been vacant for five months and she is unable to rent any units under the Residential Tenancies Act. 

Ackland said the act requires landlords to provide safe housing, which she said is impossible because of the nearby injection site and its rules, adding that injection site users will head onto the Sandy Hill property because the clinic is only set up for five people at a time. 

Action Sandy Hill president Louise Lapointe told The Rob Snow Show with guest host Derick Fage that residents have encountered trespassing, people injecting on private property, and even attacks. 

Lapointe said while the area councillor has been helpful in connecting the organizations with people to help address these issues, there hasn't been support elsewhere. 

“I don't know if the City of Ottawa or the rest of council or Ottawa Public Health are aware of the issues related to the site,” she said. 

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury told The Rob Snow Show with guest host Derick Fage on Aug. 18, that he's aware of the issues and impacts facing residents in close vicinity of the safe injection site, and has been having conversations with residents and those who run the injection site, which receives funding from the provincial government. 

While is he aware of the issues that residents in Sandy Hill are facing, he added the problems with drugs extends beyond the Sandy Hill community. 

“North of Sandy Hill, particularly near Rideau Street and the ByWard Market, are facing similar challenges around drug use, drug addictions and challenges around behaviours,” he said. 

With various areas in his ward facing challenges with drugs, the city councillor said there is a path to solutions such as safe supply options. 

“We need to go back to the root cause,” he said. “If someone is suffering from addiction, what do they need. We can find modern ways to respond to addiction.”

Listen to the full interview with Coun. Mathieu Fleury below:

Listen to the full interview with Louise Lapointe below: