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Saskatchewan’s first and only approved safe consumption site is expected to open in Saskatoon in early 2020.

This fall, AIDS Saskatoon plans to move into the site at 1516 20th Street West to operate its current services. The organization plans to conduct monthly pickups of needles and garbage in the surrounding area, as well as daily needle patrols on school grounds and weekly needle patrols in the neighbourhood.

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Health Canada approved an exemption for AIDS Saskatoon to operate a site that would provide supervision for people consuming substances on July 31; the exemption expires at the end of July 2020.

Jason Mercredi, AIDS Saskatoon’s executive director, said the organization wants to give emergency services, such as the Saskatoon police, time to make preparations prior to the safe consumption site’s opening. Members of the organization, along with representatives of the police service, are scheduled to visit Vancouver next week to tour sites offering similar services. He said the organization also wants to make sure its own budgetary preparations are made.