It’s been six months since the province’s new complex needs emergency shelter opened on Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon, and the city’s police chief believes it’s working as intended.
“It’s working very well,” said Chief Cam McBride, Saskatoon Police Service.
“In fact, working a night shift, I had the opportunity to utilize the centre myself. And the process was fantastic.”
The facility is operated by EHN Canada, which has long-term treatment facilities across Canada, including Saskatchewan’s largest drug treatment facility in in Lumsden, which has been plagued with persistent delays in opening.
The shelter — which serves as a detox centre and holding facility for those either under the influence with nowhere to go or in the grips of a mental health crisis who are considered a danger to themselves and others — has counsellors, nurses, security and support staff on site.
Saskatoon police described the need for a similar medically supervised facility in late 2023, when a report to the board of police commissioners revealed one-third of people held in municipal detention cells were there for public intoxication.
Prior to the opening of the facility, police detention cells were city’s detox of last resort.
In an email to CTV News, the Ministry of Health says more than 650 patients have been admitted to the Saskatoon facility since it opened August 6th, 2024.
“Almost all clients accepted transportation to supports and services in Saskatoon while some had to be appropriately transferred to police custody or transported to hospital,” the Ministry of Health said.
“Some drop-off locations include: Friendship Inn, The Bridge, Saskatoon Tribal Council, and YWCA.”
The ministry says it’s been getting positive reviews from police services and a number of clients who are connected with supports and services.
“I think individuals who are utilizing that center are getting a far better opportunity to overcome a critical incident or a critical circumstance in their life,” said McBride.
But while it’s getting positive feedback, some local businesses are less enthusiastic.
“I always had my doubts that, you know — will this increase crime? — like, crime and activity, and how will that affect the business,” said Syed Haider, owner of Start N Go Auto.
His business moved from Sutherland to its current location across the street from the facility.
“When we did move in, it wasn’t open. So, I think I definitely saw that big shift in the crime.”
Haider says he’s had to deal with people walking over and loitering in the lobby, harassing customers, littering, and instances of stolen property being left behind.
“Every morning when we come in, there’s lots of litter,” said Haider. “Whether it’s empty cups or syringes and stuff. We’ve had the fire department come out twice or thrice to pick up the needles.”
And he doesn’t think he’s alone.
“I think a lot of business owners, if you go down the street and do have issues with the structure across the street, but there’s not much we can do,” he said. “We can just look forward and try to put policies in place to prevent stuff from happening. And it’s just something we have to live by.”
A similar facility opened in Regina last summer.
-With files from Rory MacLean
