Expert panel to review supervised consumption sites

Associate Minister Luan stands with the chair and vice-chair of the Supervised Consumption Services Review Committee.

People can share experiences and evidence of the social and economic impacts of the sites through public engagement sessions and online.

“As we committed in our platform, we are moving ahead with a review of supervised consumption sites. We’ve heard Albertans’ concerns about impacts on their homes, businesses and communities. We’ve chosen a panel of experts to listen to Albertans, review the evidence, and report back on their findings.”

Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

The committee was appointed by the minister to represent a range of relevant views and experiences. Members have lived experience with addiction as well as expertise and experience in business, real estate, economics, social demography, research ethics, addiction and recovery services, harm reduction, First Nations health, mental health, trauma, pain management, and law enforcement and crime reduction.

The committee will hear from citizens, businesses, elected officials, supervised consumption services (SCS) operators, and other key stakeholders. Public engagement will take place over three weeks in September, in all communities with existing or proposed SCS:

  • Grande Prairie
  • Edmonton
  • Red Deer
  • Calgary
  • Lethbridge
  • Medicine Hat

Details regarding dates and locations are being finalized and will be available online.

Albertans will also be able to submit feedback online.

The committee will analyze the evidence on the impact of existing and proposed sites and submit a report to government for consideration in future policy decisions for the SCS sites and the addiction care system.

Committee members

  • Rod Knecht, chair
  • Prof. Geri Iininaatoáákii Bemister-Williams, vice-chair
  • Dr. Charl Els
  • Joan Hollihan
  • Dr. Rob Tanguay
  • Dr. Ray Baker
  • Paul Maxim
  • Steve Cormack