Health committee  It is important to have harm reduction services for the simple reason that these projects have been in operation for many years. We are talking here about safe injection sites, but we could also be talking about prevention for infectious diseases such as hepatitis C. When drug users in a community are in contact with workers in the community services sector or the health care sector, we can do prevention work that will have long-term positive effects.

Health committee  I hope I understood the question properly. I was saying that it was important for naloxone to be accessible and easily distributed in the communities because there are still places where it is harder to access, unfortunately. It remains an effective antidote to opioid overdoses.

Health committee  Okay. I would say that it would help save lives, save lives and save lives.

Health committee  Yes, thank you very much. As things currently stand, we need services and space to welcome people from the community both day and night. Our two facilities have complementary opening hours. For now, we do not provide injection and inhalation services during the day, but it is something we are trying to do.

Health committee  That is a complex question that I probably will not have enough time to answer. Dopamine has two facilities in the neighbourhood. Earlier, there was mention of a park across from our organization. That is our primary facility in the Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve neighbourhood and it is our day centre.

Health committee  I am not sure that you have accurate information about our organization, but there is no school located next to us. That being said, every neighbouring school has been notified. Dopamine has always maintained communication with its community. As our group comes from our community, Dopamine has always worked with the neighbouring families and schools.

Health committee  In fact, Dopamine's supervised injection service contributes positively to reducing consumption in public places. Harm reduction services absolutely contribute positively to the community. It should be noted that well before the organization's services were brought in, this neighbourhood was seen to be in a very precarious social situation.

Health committee  Thank you, Chair. Honourable members, thank you for inviting me to contribute to your work. You have heard testimony from several experts who intervene at various levels to try to stem the crisis we are experiencing. I am pleased to be able to participate directly on the ground, in a very specific, unprecedented social and health crisis context.