Close to 50 people gathered at Windsor city hall to attend a rally Friday hosted by the Windsor Overdose Prevention Society.

Members continue to push for an unsanctioned overdose prevention site in the city, saying there must be action now to ensure the most vulnerable people in the community have a location where they can be monitored for signs of an overdose.

But members also called on police chief Al Frederick to change his position on naloxone kits.

“The longer it takes for him to change his stance, the more people are gonna die,” said member Brandon Bailey.

Bailey said a safe injection site may have also saved the lives of four people who died of a suspected overdose two weekends ago.

“It’s easy for the chief or anyone else to say other people won't use it but if you asked the people who are out here that are using drugs or you ask a lot of people at home, when they have a safe judgement-free zone, they're all saying that they would,” said Bailey. “Maybe we should start asking the people that we are here to serve instead of making answers for them.”

Chief Frederick went on record again this week, saying he does not support overdose prevention site.

“The crime rate in the immediate vicinity around supervised injection sites have gone off the charts as far as increase in violent crimes, property crimes that sort of thing,” said Frederick. “That's not something I want for our police service to deal with or our community.”

Several community leaders have called on the police chief to change his stance on allowing officers to carry naloxone, but Frederick is standing by his decision.

“It’s not as simple as administering naloxone. It's the follow-up, the immediate emergency follow up to that person that required and we are not trained in that regard,” said Frederick.

Bailey was wearing a naloxone kit during Friday’s rally and encourages residents to carry them as well.

The Windsor Overdose Prevention Society is comprised of former/active drug users, harm reduction workers, healthcare professionals, community members, researchers, and students.