Weekend service returns to Whitehorse supervised consumption site, for now

The supervised consumption site in Whitehorse has resumed its weekend service, six months after pausing it due to staffing shortages. Blood Ties, the harm reduction non-profit that runs the site, has partnered with the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) to guarantee coverage until the end of March 2026. “We we’re just thrilled,” said Blood Ties executive director Jill Aalhus, who noted it was difficult not being able to offer the service to weekend users. “We just didn’t have the staff to do that,” she said. “(I would) lay awake at night hoping that none of the people we care about had a bad overdose while we’re closed.” The site is the territory’s only supervised consumption site and describes itself as a safe and confidential space for people to consume drugs. Aalhus said since the weekend service was introduced in January 2024, monthly visits to the site have increased from 900 to over 3,000. Weekend service was halted earlier this year following a public safety incident which saw the organization lose a third of its staff. A press releases states the incident magnified existing issues surrounding staff burnout and non-competitive pay. It notes that while the Yukon government provided short-term emergency funding to cover increased security, the organization’s requests for long-term, sustainable funding to improve recruitment and retention and safety were rejected. According to the release, weekend closures reduced monthly visits from 3,005 to 1,644. “People use drugs seven days of the week, and need safety to do so,” Aalhus said. “We also know that coming here, and this becoming part of people’s daily habit, is such an important part of it – that consistency and reliability of the service.” Aalhus said Blood Ties and CYFN already have a working relationship that includes funding for a knowledge keeper project and a meal program, and that it offered to step in and help alleviate its staffing challenges. She said the organization would continue to advocate for long-term funding. “This is an essential life-saving service,” she said. “It reduces strain on the hospital and EMS. It really provides safety and care for so many people, and without the financial support to operate it sustainably, we can’t. I think we’re in a position where we’re asking for help and trying to make sure we can continue to operate it for the community.” The release states since opening in 2021, the site has reversed 439 overdoses with no fatalities since and has served more than 1,060 people over 58,000 visits. Continue Reading