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The mobile supervised consumption site (left) at the Wapiti House in Grande Prairie (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)
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Lawsuit filed against province regarding rules on supervised drug-use sites

Aug 20, 2021 | 11:32 AM

CALGARY – A lawsuit has been filed against the Alberta government alleging its rules governing supervised drug-use sites will have life and death impacts.

Leading the charge are non-profit societies Moms Stop The Harm and the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society.

They allege the province is increasing barriers to the life-saving service and breaching the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The lawsuit comes after the United Conservative government launched new regulations for site operators of drug-use sites to receive funding.

One requirement is the collection of personal health numbers from clients.

Petra Shulz, co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm, says many people who use substances don’t want to be identified due to stigma, criminalization and impacts to their personal life.

She says the new rules also force people to disengage from supervised drug-use sites, increasing the risk of fatally overdosing.

The statement of claim also alleges the province’s rules frustrate regulatory framework by the federal government.

None of the allegations in the claim has been proven in court.

(The Canadian Press)