New location picked for Nanaimo’s overdose-prevention site
NANAIMO — A change of venue likely won’t affect the timeline for getting a sanctioned overdose-prevention site operating in Nanaimo.
At a special council meeting on Thursday, councillors cleared the way for Island Health to create the service at the supportive housing unit at 437 Wesley Street. Last week, the health authority had said it was moving ahead with a site in their building at 526 Wentworth Street.
The change of location came about following a Wednesday meeting with council and city staff, according to medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselback.
“We discussed a variety of other locations and I think that there was strong consensus that the preferred location from everyone’s perspective is actually on Wesley Street,” Hasselback said.