The Lower Mainland Purpose Society is once again opening its doors to members of public who want to tour the new health contact centre.
The centre, which includes a safe consumption site, is located at 40 Begbie St. in downtown New Westminster. Following up on the April 21 open house, the centre is giving folks another chance to tour the facility on Wednesday, May 12 between noon and 3 p.m.
“We are encouraging, as much as possible, for businesses and community residents to visit the site,” Courtney Pankratz, project coordinator of the New Westminster Overdose Community Action Team, said in an email to the Record. “The open house will be an opportunity for folks to meet the team, get a sense of the environment and services that are being offered, and ask their questions.”
Visitors who pre-register will be booked in at 15-minute intervals, with COVID protocols in place.
Since 2016, more than 130 New Westminster residents have died as a result of the drug poisoning crisis, said the Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families, which operates the centre.
The health contact centre, which open April 7, offers a variety of services, including witnessed consumption, drug testing, harm reduction supplies, take-home naloxone kits, training on naloxone, education on safer drug use, a medical clinic, nutritional information, and referral to treatment centres and health services.
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email [email protected]
