Researchers show value of Saskatoon's safe consumption site

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan have calculated that Saskatoon's recently closed safe consumption site provided a substantial social and economic return on investment for the community. Using a well-established method called social return on investment (SROI), the team found that for every dollar invested, the site generated $4.44 in value, a 300% return on investment.

The SROI process, developed by Social Value International, allowed the researchers to assign monetary values to various aspects of the site, including the people who accessed it and municipal organizations like the Saskatoon Fire Department. These values were determined through a recognized framework and monetary value conversion process.

The site's total value was then divided by the cost of operation to calculate the return on investment. Dr. Linzi Williamson, an assistant professor of psychology and health studies at USask, emphasized that the study aimed to bring together different groups to discuss safe consumption sites and other harm-reduction measures.

The research also highlighted the reduced burden on emergency services, such as firefighters and EMS, as a significant benefit. Dr. Barb Fornssler, an assistant professor at USask's School of Public Health, noted that SROI can bridge disparate conversations and help policymakers understand the value of such programs in economic terms.

The study's lead author, Dr. Maryellen Gibson, emphasized that Saskatoon's safe consumption site, which was funded by the community, had a tangible economic figure. She stressed that the site had not only economic benefits but also a significant human impact on individuals' lives and the broader community.