The Peel HIV/AIDS Network has received short-term funding to open and operate an overdose prevention site in Brampton.

The facility, which is located at 257 Main St. N., north of Brampton’s four corners, will open on April 3.

Last year, the federal government gave provinces temporary approval to open overdose prevention sites, said Phillip Banks, executive director of the Peel HIV/AIDS Network (PHAN). And Ontario’s former minister of health and long-term care, Dr. Eric Hoskins formally requested the federal government allow Ontario to approve and fund overdose prevention sites.

“More people died of opioid-related deaths in Peel in three months last summer than in all of 2013,” said Banks. In 2017, there were 23 opioid related deaths in the three-month period between May and July.

In comparison, there were 46 deaths in the Region of Peel involving opioids in 2016, compared to 21 deaths in 2013. More than 3,000 opioid-related deaths are expected in Canada this year.

Banks attributes the dramatic increase in overdose deaths to synthetic opioids, fentanyl and carfentanil, being mixed in with illegal street drugs.

Services at the overdose prevention site will include three supervised self-administered drug use stations, life-saving assistance in the event of an overdose, drug testing and distribution of sterile drug use equipment and naloxone, said Banks. The site will also provide needle sweeps, collection and disposal.

“As part of its mandate, Peel Public Health will provide PHAN with support for infection prevention and control, as well as injection and harm reduction supplies, including naloxone for on-site emergency use,” said Peel medical officer of health Dr. Jessica Hopkins.

The Brampton facility will receive funding for six months, said Banks. Hopefully, funding will continue. But before that happens, Banks explained there are a number of steps that must be completed.

PHAN is working in conjunction with Peel Health, Public Health Ontario and other key stakeholders in Brampton, said Banks, and extensive consultation and research must be completed before a permanent overdose prevention site can open.