Opening of the Montreal controlled drug inhalation site

Montreal's first supervised drug inhalation site will officially open Monday in Saint-Henri.

Maison Benoît Labre will be a place where residents can safely use injectable and inhaled drugs.

“We don't produce actual medicines, we produce a safe-to-use stock and we make sure that people are safe to use or that we can take action if someone has a problem with consuming them,” said executive director Andrean Desilets.

The center also has 36 studio apartments for people experiencing homelessness and dealing with substance abuse and mental illness.

“We provide food, we shower,” Desilets explained. “It's access, so it's 24/7. It's a low threshold, so we're not asking people to do much, just to have a minimal respect for ourselves and our physical earth.”

The opening of the center was opposed by a group of parents of Victor-Russelo elementary school. The school is less than 100 meters from the site, and parents say it's too close. Last fall, they asked the Quebec government do not allow it to open.

People who live and frequent the area told CityNews they have mixed opinions about it.

“It's a terrible situation, close to school and close to home, and we're going to face it, everybody's going to see and see that reality,” said Noelle Agboton. “But it's the kind of help we need to do more to help people. They're not just on the streets to do drugs … they're vulnerable.”

Manon Gilbert added: “The boys are there, not too far, maybe two minutes. It's good because they have a house, but not a school, no.'

Desilets said Mason Benoit Labre has been “working very hard” with the community and “listening to concerns.”

“It's an ongoing process, so we still have a Bon Voisinage committee every three weeks so that if something comes up, we make sure we address the situation,” he said.

He adds that there is a real need for services provided by a supervised drug inhalation site.

“We're here,” he said.

Maison Benoît Labre opens about a year and a half ago, but it happened delayed due to construction.

“It's been a very long process, but now we're here and we're opening on Monday and we're very proud,” Desilets said.