AIDS Saskatoon is evolving and has changed its name to Prairie Harm Reduction, and with that announcement, is the unveiling of an opening date for Saskatchewan’s first Safe Consumption Site.

Executive Director Jason Mercredi says they will open October 1st this year. He says when they did not receive needed funding in the provincial budget, they moved to plan B.

“It’s a scaled down version, like we’re one paramedic. Originally we wanted two paramedics on 24/7, this is one paramedic on very limited hours so….but something is better than nothing.”

Prairie Harm Reduction has launched a fundraising campaign which takes the form of an on-line store. Proceeds will help fund a Primary Care paramedic position.

Mercredi says whether the government is funding or the Safe Consumption Site or not, the community needs it.

“The overdose epidemic, the crystal meth epidemic aren’t getting better let alone the HIV epidemic so we can’t be waiting on government, we need to show that we’re committed to the cause and we’re going to do our best to make a difference here in the community.”

The on-line store will also include a line of clothing dedicated to nurses. Fifty per cent of the proceeds from the nursing items will be given as a contribution to the Saskatchewan HIV-HCV Nursing Organization’s annual conference in 2021.

Click here to check out the online store.