Update: Ontario’s Restrictions on Supervised Consumption Services

On Tuesday, the provincial  government announced the closure of 10 essential health service sites. The evidence is clear, Consumption Treatment Sites (CTS) save lives. CTS prevent fatal overdoses, reduce the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis C, and connect people to essential health and social services. They build trust and connections for people stigmatized and let down by society.

Despite research, medical evidence and the thousands of lives saved, the Ontario government has chosen to force the closure of 10 sites and prohibit municipalities from establishing new CTS or participating in federal safe supply initiatives. This decision comes as the drug poisoning crisis caused 3,812 drug-related deaths in 2023 alone.

We welcome the essential investments in supportive housing and the creation of HART Hubs as centralized resources for those in need of coordinated support. However,  it is imperative that these Hubs include evidence-based harm reduction tools. Alongside the critical treatment and support services, access to medically supervised consumption, on-site safer consumption options, and safer supplies like needle exchange programs are crucial for the success of the HART Hub model. Establishing these Hubs without these vital supports will only result in more overdoses, deaths, and strain on existing health resources.

Fred Victor delivers evidence-based services that help people rebuild their lives. We stand firm in our commitment to advocate for and support people who rely on these critical health services.

We stand with the  Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness, Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Network, the Toronto Shelter Network and CAMH, in calling for not just the preservation but the expansion of these essential services. We urge the Government of Ontario to consider the evidence, work with experts across Ontario and prioritize saving lives.