So-called supervised consumption sites offer drug users the ability to take advantage of a clean, medically supervised environment, thus eliminating many risks while additionally offering support for getting clean.

Three virtual town halls are planned for July to further the conversation around opening a supervised consumption site (SCS) in Somerville. Each meeting will have a different focus to address various stakeholder perspectives. Each meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 13 – Hear from potential users of the site and Harm Reduction Specialist

• Thursday, July 22 – Listen to the stories of families of people who use drugs and a discussion around community impacts of a supervised consumption site

• Tuesday, July 27 – Join a conversation around potential impacts a supervised consumption site could have on neighbors and businesses

Attend the town halls online or by phone:

• Each meeting will be hosted on Zoom, and there will also be an option to call into the meeting from a phone.

• Visit somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall at the start time of the meeting to join live or get call-in information. 

• Call-in information will also be available on the day of the meeting on GovTV, RCN channel 13 and Comcast channel 22, or by calling 311.

• All of the town halls will be shown live on GovTV, RCN channel 13 and Comcast channel 22, and at youtube.com/somervillecitytv. They will also be rebroadcast on GovTV and available to watch later on YouTube.

What is a supervised consumption site?

SCS are harm reduction interventions that have been implemented in more than 10 countries, including Canada, Australia, and across Europe to prevent fatal overdoses and connect people to services. People who use drugs are allowed to consume substances in the SCS under the supervision of staff who can intervene in the event of an overdose or other medical emergency. Often additional services like basic health care, housing support, and recovery resources are also offered at an SCS. To date, there have been no reported drug overdose deaths in a SCS.

Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, or Nepali is available upon advance request (at least five business days advance notice needed) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.