S.O.S

It was an ordinary morning at the Somerset West Community Health Center’s supervised consumption site. Yet, in the midst of what should have been a routine day, something extraordinary unfolded—a demonstration of raw humanity and the power of teamwork that I will never forget.

The early light filtered through the slats of the fenced-in courtyard, casting a muted glow over the room. I was nestled in a corner, as always, sharing a root beer with a close friend and observing the delicate dance of care and vigilance that defines this sanctuary. It was a typical day, with individuals coming and going, seeking solace and safety in a space often misunderstood by the wider world.

And then it happened...

A man—someone I had seen here before—took a puff from his pipe while sitting on the other side of my friend with whom I sat. The casualness of his action belied the danger that was about to unfold. It was highly unexpected, as the man was consuming crystal meth. Nothing that should have this kind of effect. However, despite not being a fentanyl user, he began to fall within seconds. I watched as his eyes rolled back and he started to fall backward. A staff member who was on a smoke break at the time was standing nearby and, luckily, saw it at the same moment I did. He ran over and lowered the man to the ground so he wouldn't hit his head and called for backup as the man lay on the sidewalk stiff and blue. The scene erupted in a chaos that felt both surreal and painfully real.

I cleared out of the way to make room for a flurry of staff and watched as the courtyard shifted from calm to urgent. The staff, with their unparalleled reflexes, sprang into action. It was as if they had anticipated this moment, even though no one ever truly does.

The first staff member on the scene, a figure of focused intensity, immediately assessed the situation. With practicing hands, they began administering naloxone, the lifesaving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Their movements were swift and precise, almost as if choreographed by the urgency of the moment. I will forever remember the chilling voice of another support staff member regarding the man's oxygen levels. The panic in her voice is something I’ve never heard from someone who is usually a cool and collected individual. Her panicked, stricken voice called out to her support staff, “His oxygen is at 0%,” she informed them. That certainly amplified the urgency of the moment.

But then—disaster upon disaster—the equipment malfunctioned. The usual hum of the oxygen machine was replaced by an ominous silence. It was a wrenching blow to an already dire situation. The man’s oxygen level certainly couldn’t get any lower. They were running out of time. The numbers on the monitor flickered in an alarming dance, confirming the severity of his condition.

Yet, amid this pandemonium, the staff didn’t falter. The lead nurse called for backup with a calm that was almost eerie in its serenity. Their steady and reassuring voice guided the team through the crisis. Even as paramedics took what felt like an eternity to arrive, the team didn’t lose hope. They improvised, adapted, and fought against the clock, using every skill and piece of knowledge they had.

The scene was chaotic: staff members worked in unison, their faces etched with a mix of determination and concern. One staff member, using manual techniques, assisted with breathing and chest compressions while another reconfigured the malfunctioning equipment, another to monitor the administration of naloxone, and another for reading vitals. The room was a whirlwind of activity, but their coordination was flawless.

Minutes dragged by like hours. The man's condition seemed to ebb and flow between life and death, a heart-stopping reminder of how fragile and precious life can be. And then, finally, the paramedics arrived, their entrance marked by a flurry of motion. They quickly took over, integrating seamlessly with the staff’s efforts.

With the combined force of the supervised consumption site’s team and the paramedics, a miracle happened. The man’s oxygen levels slowly returned, and paramedics brought him to the hospital.

As the crisis subsided, the once-silent courtyard filled with a palpable sense of relief. The man was en route to the hospital after being pulled back from the brink. The team stood in exhausted triumph, their faces reflecting the profound impact of their actions. They had faced one of the most urgent overdoses to occur within the confines of the courtyard and emerged victorious, their collective effort a testament to the power of compassion and expertise.

That morning at Somerset West, I witnessed something extraordinary. It wasn’t just the dramatic rescue of one life, but the undying spirit of a community dedicated to saving lives, no matter the odds. In the face of chaos and adversity, the staff of Somerset West proved that even when the world seems to be falling apart, there are still those who will stand up and fight for every precious breath.

Petition to Save Somerset West Supervised Consumption Site.

The Somerset West Supervised Consumption Site is an essential part of our community, providing critical services that save lives and support some of our most vulnerable members. The recent announcement of its impending closure due to new provincial regulations threatens to dismantle a vital lifeline for many. This petition aims to highlight the importance of the site, the broader impact its closure will have on the community, and the lack of viable alternatives. We urge the provincial government to reconsider this decision and keep this indispensable facility open.

The Importance of the Site

The Somerset West Supervised Consumption Site provides a safe, controlled environment where individuals can use substances under the supervision of trained medical staff. This reduces the risk of fatal overdoses, which have been on the rise in our community. The staff are equipped with naloxone and other life-saving tools, and their quick actions have saved countless lives. The site also offers access to clean needles and other harm reduction supplies, which help prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.

Not only are these essential and obvious services provided at the site, but it has also become a safe place, a home, and a place where we (street people, you may call us) can access pathways and support in everything we experience. From just venting about our day to someone we know and trust, to hearing someone tell us they love us and honestly, truly mean it every time we show our face. That’s so big. Not only are they saving lives by preventing and responding to overdoses, providing mental and physical care, but just by being human and being there.

If it wasn’t for the staff at Somerset West, I might not be here because of my own mental health reasons. And I’m sure, whether they know it themselves or not, that this is true for so many. It’s a home in a world that’s so cold. The impact of the words “I love you” when you can feel that the person saying it really does love you is so powerful. Especially when sometimes you’re not sure you’re going to make it through the day. That gives you the strength to keep going even when you think nobody loves you and all hope is lost. There they are, telling you you are loved. And saving your day just because that’s what they do.

Impact on the Community

Closing this site will not only endanger the lives of those who use its services but will also have broader negative impacts on the community. Without a safe place to go, individuals will be forced to use substances in public spaces, increasing the risk of overdose deaths and the spread of infectious diseases. This will also lead to more discarded needles in public areas, posing a risk to everyone in the community, including children.

Consider this: Nanny Goat Hill Nursery School (the facility run by SWCHC that is within the 200m radius) has six benches in its front courtyard as well as a small parking lot that is slightly hidden from street view. Without Somerset West, this spot is, in my opinion, one of the most likely places around the area to be visited by disappointed drug users trying to visit the site, only to find out it’s closed. That’s not to say this is a guarantee, and most people have discretion when in the presence of children; however, the risk is still there. And the location is ideal for loitering.

That’s why Somerset West has a wall—to protect the community from the community within their community they wish to ignore. But we’re here, and without that wall to protect us, we will be ever-present and running amok in the community.

Lack of Alternatives

The provincial government has proposed new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs as an alternative. However, these hubs will not offer supervised consumption services or harm reduction supplies. They will not meet the immediate needs of individuals who are actively using substances and are at risk of overdose. The Somerset West site was chosen for its location in a high-need area, and its closure will leave a significant gap in services—services that are hard enough to get and even harder to keep.

This decision is also discriminatory and isolating. I don’t imagine the proposed locations will be nearly as personal as the ones we are well used to at this point. As a vulnerable population, we have a hard time with change, and a life on the street makes it really hard to trust people, especially social workers. The staff at Somerset West know us on a profound level. We know they understand us in a way that leads us to trust them wholeheartedly—with our lives and with our livelihoods. There is no alternative to SWCHC. They simply can’t be matched. I’m sure the clients of the other sites facing closure feel the same way about their own sites. Why should we need an alternative when we could just leave things as they are?

Call to Action

We urge the provincial government to reconsider this decision and recognize the critical role that supervised consumption sites play in saving lives and protecting public health. We call on community members, health professionals, and advocates to join us in this fight. Sign this petition to show your support for the Somerset West Supervised Consumption Site and help us keep this essential service open.

#SAVEOURSITE #S.O.S