Toronto could be home to as many as three clinics where drug users can consume illicit drugs, including cocaine and heroin, in clean, safe settings under the supervision of trained staff.

New research has found having supervised consumption sites in Toronto would likely be cost-effective, and suggests the city may want to look at establishing as many as three of them.

The preliminary findings are from a long-awaited study on whether Toronto could benefit from the controversial clinics. Researchers were planning to present the findings at a U.S. conference on medical decision-making last month, but pulled out at the last minute.

According to an abstract of the research posted online, setting up the clinics in Toronto “likely represents good value for money,”

Dr. Ahmed Bayoumi, a co-principal investigator of the study and scientist at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital, declined to be interviewed Tuesday.

In a statement, the hospital said the findings were withdrawn because researchers are still actively writing the final report.

The Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment, requested by the city in 2005, has been controversial from the start, sparking debate in city communities and Toronto council.

First expected in the spring of 2010, the long-delayed report is now to be released in early 2012, according to a Toronto Public Health spokesperson.

The finding that supervised consumption sites may be cost-effective is yet another sign Toronto may soon be home to the clinics.

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said Tuesday he has heard no recent discussion of safe injection sites, and doesn’t believe the Ford administration’s opposition has changed.

Councillor John Filion, chair of Toronto’s board of health, said he expects to receive a report from city staff detailing the pros and cons of safe injection sites in the New Year.

“We’re far from making a decision on that because we just don’t have the information we need,” he said.

In April, the research team released data showing community members and other groups were not overwhelmingly opposed to supervised consumption sites if the goal was to reduce disease and get drug use off city streets.

In 2010, the researchers reported that a supervised consumption site for crack smoking could “reduce risks and public concerns associated with outdoor drug use.” The team found some addicts reported using in public spaces, including parks and school yards.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has been a staunch supporter of Insite — Canada’s only supervised injection site — calling it a crucial health-care facility for his city because it saves lives, reduces crime in the community and saves tax dollars otherwise funneled to emergency rooms, policing and jails.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

In September, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered the Harper government to grant Insite exemption from federal drug laws. The ruling potentially removes one of the main obstacles that would prevent such clinics from opening in Toronto.

With files from David Rider