Castlegar's new shelter will include opioid prevention services

Photo: BC Housing

The new shelter slated to be built at 2245 6th Ave in Castlegar will include overdose prevention services (OPS).

According to BC Housing, the new shelter’s rules will deviate from the existing shelter that is located at 1660 Columbia Ave where drug use is prohibited.

The shelters implementation aims to reduce overdose deaths and increases access to health and social services

Support staff trained to work with individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) will be present to provide harm reduction services.

The future shelter will be run with the Castlegar Community Services (CSS). Although, the inhalation of substances will be prohibited at the site.

City staff have expressed concerns regarding employee safety and exposure to harmful substances in the safe use area.

However, BC Housing assured the council that CSS will operate under the current protocols for overdose prevention sites.

The shelter is projected to open later this year.

For questions about the shelter project, please contact BC Housing by emailing [email protected].