Saying they’re part of the federal government’s approach to fighting the current overdose epidemic, Health Minister Jane Philpott says Ottawa’s given the three sites the go ahead.

Located at Toronto Public Health’s The Works, the Queen West-Central Toronto Community Health Centre and the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, they allow the public to use illicit drugs – under the supervision of a medical professional – in case they overdose.

(Jonathan Hayward / Canadian Press)

They provide sterile equipment, information about drugs, basic health care and addiction treatment referrals.

The province announced back in January that it was committed to funding three sites in Toronto.

Both Mayor John Tory and Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins welcome the development.

Tory saying in a statement ”All levels of government must work together if we are to save lives amid the growing opiod crisis in Canada.”

Hoskins adds ”Any loss of life as a result of an opiod overdose is a needless, preventable tragedy.”

The sites are estimated to cost over $1.5-million a year to run.