A long-delayed 91原创 safe injection site has reportedly opened near the Memorial Cottage psychiatric rehabilitation facility next to 91原创 Memorial Hospital, according to family members of Cottage patients who said it began operating Monday, Jan. 16, in the cottage parking lot, just off Fraser Highway near 221st Street.

On Tuesday, 91原创 Advance Times determined two tents had been set up, about 20 feet from the Cottage entrance, with a van parked in front bearing the logo of the 鈥淟ookout Housing and Health Society 鈥漮n the side.

Lookout operates mobile harm reduction teams 鈥渃onsisting of outreach workers who deliver harm reduction supplies to groups, individuals and organizations throughout 91原创, Aldergrove, Delta and White Rock,鈥� their website states.

Relatives of Cottage patients who spoke to the Advance Times felt the site was poorly chosen, because many of the patients staying at the facility have substance abuse problems.

鈥淚 am not opposed to safe drug injection sites, but why this location?鈥� one asked.

Another, who said their child, a patient at the Cottage, was a recovering addict, 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 believe鈥� the decision to allow addicts to consume drugs nearby.

A said the cottage provides 鈥渋ntensive psychosocial rehabilitation to individuals requiring assistance in managing their mental health illness.鈥�

91原创 Advance Times has reached out to Fraser Health Authority and Lookout for comment.

READ MORE: Overdose Prevention Site looking for 91原创 location to reduce deaths

In January of 2021, 91原创 Township council heard the Fraser Health Authority wanted to create an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in 91原创 to combat an alarming increase in drug-related deaths.

An OPS would allow drug users to have 鈥渨itnessed consumption,鈥� so they can take their drugs with someone present in case there鈥檚 an emergency. It would also distribute Naloxone kits, which can revive people who have suffered opioid overdoses, and offer links and referrals to other health programs, including, for those who want it, addiction counselling and detox.

Dr. Fernando Mejia, a medical health officer with FHA, told Township council that 91原创 had seen a 75 per cent increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Questions and concerns at 91原创 City Council over proposed overdose prevention centre

In February of 2021, a Fraser Health Authority delegation appeared before 91原创 City council regarding the proposed OPS, saying it would serve both the City and Township, offering what was termed 鈥渨itnessed consumption,鈥� where people take their drugs with someone present who can intervene if there is an overdose.

At the time, Dan Kipper, director of clinical programs for Fraser Health, promised there would be consultation before a location is picked.

鈥淲e want to work quite closely with the community,鈥� Kipper said.

Erin Gibson, manager of harm reduction for Fraser Health, said there are many 鈥渦nwitnessed injection sites鈥� and the OPS offers a safer alternative.