Annie Blake, the NDP MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, says she was excited to see the Yukon’s first supervised consumption site open Wednesday morning.

The Sixth Avenue facility is closed today for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but will reopen Friday.

It can serve up to three clients at the same time and is expected to be able to serve up to five clients simultaneously later this year.

On site, clients can access a range of harm reduction and social services.

Those include drug testing, harm reduction counselling, access to naloxone, drug use equipment exchange, medical care from a trained professional, counselling treatment services and training in safer use practices.

As well, clients will also be able to receive referrals to social, medical and mental wellness and substance use supports.

The site does not provide substances for people to use.

“I’m excited to see the creation of this valuable resource that will help vulnerable folks accessing a wide range of much needed services,” Blake said Tuesday.

“This site will provide a safe and supportive environment. It will save lives and will help our community fight against the devastating opioid crisis that is happening in our territory.

“I want to thank Blood Ties Four Direction Center as well as all the public servants who worked so hard to make this happen.

“This is a victory for all Yukoners towards safer communities.”

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee called the opening “a step forward in ensuring Yukoners have the support they need, when and how they need it.

“Harm reduction approaches to substance use saves lives. Our partnership between the Yukon government and the community of Whitehorse will help ensure that we can protect the health of Yukoners, reduce overdoses in our community and improve access to treatment, medical care and social services.”

As for eventually having a safe supply on the premises for clients, McPhee said this week that step requires “a lot of work and a lot of detail.”

Blood Ties is operating the facility for the government.

“Blood Ties is excited and proud to be opening the first supervised consumption site in the North,” said Brontë Renwick-Shields, the organization’s executive director.

“We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this project to date for your hard work and dedication in getting this important project completed.

“Supervised consumption sites save lives, and this is an important step in ending the overdose crisis in the Yukon.”

Since the spring of 2016, the Yukon has had 47 opioid-related deaths.