Concerns after Montreal’s first supervised inhalation site opens near school

It has been less than two weeks since Maison Benoît Labre opened, Montreal’s first supervised drug inhalation and injection site, and police have stepped up their presence in the area.

Some parents with children at nearby Victor-Rousselot elementary school in St-Henri are also voicing their concerns once again. Maison Benoît Labre opened on April 15 and also has 36 housing units for people experiencing homelessness. 

“My overall concern is that something would happen to the kids or some drugs or syringes or whatever would fall into the park where the kids are playing.” said Anthony Fleury, who has a child at Victor-Rousselot elementary school.

“I’m very worried for the kids, you know. It’s right next to the schoolyard. A lot of drugs, syringes, crack pipes, just weird people standing around yelling and high all the time around the kids and I don’t think it’s a good thing.” 

“My daughters also noticed that they may be homeless people. They saw something that was different,” said Maritza Herrera, whose kids also go to the school. “I’m more concerned here about the syringes that may be outside.”

On Friday, a team of SPVM officers could be seen patrolling the area around the school. Montreal police say they are also there working with health and social services workers to ensure harmonious social cohabitation and strengthen the sense of security. 

“There is an establishment that is 100 metres from a school. I find that worrying. I went to take my daughter to daycare in the morning and you can see a lot of people who are in the borough outside. I’m not saying that these are the people who are dangerous here, but the repercussions can be enormous,” explained Herrera, adding, “I see the police department who are there almost every morning. So it’s a worry for parents, certainly.”

In a written statement to CityNews Montreal, Andréane Desilets, the executive director for Maison Benoît Labre, said, “regarding the removal of drug consumption material, several teams perform street cleaning interventions multiple times a day, starting early in the morning. We encourage anyone who spots such materials to inform us so that nothing is overlooked.”

Desilets also said that as of Friday afternoon, the main entrance of Maison Benoît Labre has been opened making it easier to handle certain situations outside the building.

Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Carment was also present Friday and said that this is a period of transition and the situation will improve in the coming days. 

“So it’s certain that there is a little more traffic than in the future, but we can see how things will go in the future,” said Carmant.

“It shouldn’t be next to a school,” added Fleury. “It should go somewhere else. It’s not good for kids to be in that environment and to see that everyday going to school and coming out of school.”