A petition opposing the opening of an overdose prevention site near a daycare in Fort St. John is gaining attention.
Titled “Stop the opening of an injection site near Wiggles & Giggles,” the petition was started by Katie MacDonald and has collected over 500 signatures. It seeks to block the site’s opening on 100 Avenue, just a three-minute walk from Wiggles and Giggles Daycare, according to Google Maps.
The petition claims the site’s proximity to young children poses safety risks and could lead to increased crime, loitering, and drug exposure. It calls for the site to be relocated. Laura Barber, general manager of Wiggles and Giggles Daycare, expressed concern, saying the site’s location near daycares, preschools, and an elementary school raises serious safety and well-being issues. She emphasized the importance of finding a more suitable location away from areas where children learn and play.
Northern Health, however, stated that the location was chosen in November 2022 after significant community engagement and has no plans to move the site. Renovations are underway, and the centre is expected to open early next year. The health authority assured the community that overdose prevention sites are operated safely and respectfully, citing research by the BC Centre for Disease Control showing no link between such sites and increases in crime or drug use.
-with files from Noah Abel
