It is a place for people to use drugs in the presence of health professionals.
The Yukon is set to get a supervised consumption site where people can use drugs and illicit substances in the presence of trained health professionals.
The facility will be at 6189 6th Avenue in Whitehorse. According to a new release, it is “a central, accessible location that will meet the needs of clients. The existing government-owned building is being renovated to accommodate the requirements of a supervised consumption site.”
The release goes on to say, “like the rest of Canada, the Yukon is experiencing an opioid crisis and continues to see an increase in overdose deaths. supervised consumption sites help reduce overdose deaths and increase the number of clients accessing addiction treatment services.”
The Government of Yukon says they are working with the Blood Ties Four Directions Centre on the operational management and programing at the new site.
A supervised consumption site is something the NDP campaigned for in the last territorial election and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement they signed with the Liberals.
NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre, Emily Tredger says the site will make the community safer and help to address overdoses through a health lens rather than a justice lens.
“We’re very excited and I’ve heard from a lot of Yukoners who are excited too. I think people really know that it’s a crisis, we need to take action. There are people dying. We’ve had 16 deaths from opioid overdoses since the start of the pandemic and it is past time to take action. So, we’re very proud that this project is moving forward," says Tredger.
The party also wants to see a safe supply program so that people can be prescribed safe opioids instead of buying off the street.
The Yukon will be the sixth jurisdiction in Canada to open a supervised consumption site. No word on when will it will open.
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Kluane John VanderMeer
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party candidate for Klondike Richard Nagano
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party double feature! YP candidate for Vuntut Gwitchin Sandra Charlie and YP Candidate for Southern Lakes Tyler Porter
Attempted abduction reported in Whitehorse
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Vuntut Gwitchin Annie Blake
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Liberal Party candidate for Southern Lakes Cynthia James
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Liberal Party candidate for Mayo-Tatchun Jeremy Harper
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Mountainview Linda Moen
The 2025 Territorial General Election at a glance
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party candidate for Riverdale North Rose Sellars and Yukon Party campaign chair Geraldine Van Bibber
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Watson Lake-Faro-Ross River Josie O'Brien
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Whistle Bend South Dustin McKenzie-Hubbard
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party candidate for Mayo-Tatchun Cory Bellmore
Fatal fire at remote Yukon mine camp claims two lives
Yukoners unite to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Premier and Yukon Liberal Party Leader Mike Pemberton
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
CYFN commemorates National Day for Truth and Reconciliation