UNITED WE STAND
JOIN US OCTOBER 15, 2023
As we stand in peace to oppose the location of a drug centre beside a school.
OCTOBER 15
11AM
3525 Sainte Émilie St, Montreal, Quebec
H4C 1Z3
OCTOBER 15
11AM
3525 Sainte Émilie St, Montreal, Quebec
H4C 1Z3
MONTREAL’S FIRST DRUG INHALATION CENTER
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SAINT HENRI RIGHT BESIDE VICTOR - ROUSSELOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
It is expected to be the first site in Montreal to be able to accommodate supervised drug inhalation as well as other forms of consumption, such as injection. The project is being run by Maison Benoît Labre. Maison Benoît Labre is a non-profit that serves unhoused people. Its under-construction facility in the St-Henri neighbourhood, in Montreal's Sud-Ouest borough, the site will comprise 36 studio apartments for people experiencing homelessness and living with addiction or mental health issues.
A COMMUNITY Committed to harm reduction
The idea of harm reduction is a good one and is definitely something that’s supported by the community. However the idea that this centre would be located:
- right beside a school with kids ages 4+
- right beside a densely populated iconic landmark - the Atwater market
- close to a metro station that services two city lines and airport buses
is unacceptable.
transparent conversation is needed
REASONS FOR CONCERN
SAFETY RISK
The center will permit drug users to bring their own drugs to inject and smoke inside. This could increase a demand in supply and paraphernalia.
VIOLENCE RISK
A 44-year-old mother of two was killed by a stray bullet in front of a Toronto consumption center at the end of last month.
TRANSPARENCY
Many of the residents in Saint Henri are unaware of the project and it’s potential risks. Things haven’t been clearly communicated to the community despite the project commencing more than two years ago .
Make a difference
For these projects to succeeded, we need federal regulation around harm reduction centres.
EMAIL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND LET THEM KNOW A DRUG CENTRE NEXT TO A PRIMARY SCHOOL IS A NEGLIGENT REFLECTION OF REGULATION
Make a difference
The parameters of the project have not been properly communicated and people feel disregarded.
EMAIL THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND LET THEM KNOW SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED
EMAIL - LIONEL CARMANT at Lionel.Carmant.TAIL@assnat.qc.ca
Make a difference
There is a need for congruent regulation that is currently being overlooked.
EMAIL THE QUEBEC MINISTER OF HEALTH AND ASK WHY THEY WOULD ALLOW A SCHOOL TO BE 80 METERS FROM A DRUG CENTRE WHEN LAWS CLEARLY STATE WE NEED 150 METERS BETWEEN A SCHOOL AND AN SQDC
EMAIL - CHRISTIAN DUBE at Christian.Dube.LAPR@assnat.qc.ca
GET INVOLVED
HELP SPREAD THE WORD - TALK TO FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS
JOIN US OCTOBER 15, 2023 AS WE STAND IN PEACE TO OPPOSE THE CENTRE’S LOCATION BESIDE A SCHOOL
EMAIL THE GOVERNMENT AND SHARE YOUR OPINION
together
LET’S HELP FIND A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION AND A
BETTER LOCATION
THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT A VULNERABLE POPULATION AND NEED OUR HELP
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR IDEAS FOR A SUITABLE LOCATION TO
Maison Benoît Labre - info@lamaisonbenoitlabre.org