Widespread criticism directed at Ontario Government. What did they do now, and how are you affected?

BY PAUL JUNOR

“In our province, one person dies every 2.5 hours from a fatal drug overdose.”

The announcement by the Ontario government that it plans to close consumption sites near schools and daycares has provoked widespread reactions. The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 20^th, 2024. In addition to the closure, there will be the investment of $378 million more in 19 new treatment hubs. The press release notes that the government will also introduce legislation this fall that would, if passed, prohibit municipalities, or any organization from setting up new consumption sites, or participating in federal so-called “safer” supply initiatives. If passed, the legislation will also prohibit municipalities from requesting the decriminalization of illegal drugs from the federal government.

Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health states, “Communities, parents and families across Ontario have made it clear that the presence of consumption sites, near schools and daycares is leading to serious safety problems; we need to do more to protect public safety, especially for young school children, while helping people get the treatment they need, which is why we’re taking the next step to expand access to a broad range of treatment and recovery services, while keeping kids and communities safe.”

The press release mentioned that there will be the upstream investment in 19 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs as part of the Roadmap to Wellness provincial plan which has seen $700 million gone towards supportive housing. The Hubs once completed are intended to provide people with care, will reflect regional priorities by connecting people with complex needs, to comprehensive treatment and preventative services. These services may include the following:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Addiction care and support
• Social services and employment support
• Shelter and transition beds
• Supportive housing
• Other supplies and services, including naloxone, onsite showers, and food

The press release mentioned statistics that revealed that there has been an increase in the number of assault and robbery cases in: Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa in consumption sites which are located in certain neighborhoods in these cities. In addition, reports from police services in Ontario and across Canada indicate that hydromorphone distributed at consumption sites are being diverted and trafficked, which have led to illicit trade and sale of dangerous and illicit drugs.

Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions states, “We are investing more than any government in Ontario’s history to create a nation-leading system of mental health and addictions care. The new HART Hubs are a next step in the vision first outlined in the Roadmap to Wellness and expanded in the Addictions Recovery Fund to provide the substantial regional resources that are all needed to keep our communities safe and give people their lives back through treatment and recovery.”

Several mayors have expressed the closure of these consumption sites. There will be the closure of nine provincially funded sites located and one self-funded site located in Ottawa, Guelph, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Kitchener, and Toronto no later than March 21^st, 2025.

Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton states, “Grateful for the Ford government’s focus on treatment for addictions and not band-aid solutions. I share their concern about the proliferation of safe injection sites in areas close to families and children. This needs to stop.”

Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor states, “Today’s announcement is a real game-changer. This major investment will truly support people to get their lives back on track through needed treatment and recovery, while ensuring that neighborhoods in Windsor and across Ontario remain safe.”

On Friday, August 30^th, Dr. Jill Andrew, MPP of Toronto-St Paul’s wrote a letter to: Premier Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones, Minister Tibollo and Minister of Housing, Paul Calandra, which she posted on her Facebook page. It conveyed concerns by community services organizations about the government’s plan to close consumption sites across Canada.

“I share these concerns about the removal of consumption and treatment services (CTS) and the dire implications this will have for our communities most vulnerable. As you know, Ontario is in the midst of an overdose epidemic and toxic drug supply crisis. In our province, one person dies every 2.5 hours from a fatal drug overdose.”

The letter mentioned women and gender-diverse individuals who have not been able to access shelter. In addition, the realities of gender-based violence, including intimate partner-violence are personal for those trapped in homelessness and addictions. The shackles of poverty are a common factor in their lives.

The letter notes further, “Premier, it is concerning that you’ve chosen to ignore the recommendations of two-government – commissioned reports, that in fact, call for the expansion of harm reduction services, including CTS. Instead, your government has made a political decision based on ‘opinion’ that will further stigmatize people who use substances and will lead to increased death.”

The letter is supportive of the formation of HART Hubs, but believes it is not enough. It elaborates, “The path to recovery is not a one-size fits all straight path. It is often non-linear, intermittent, and demands steep investment in CTS, real affordable housing including supportive and transition housing, and public healthcare.”

The letter concludes, “Any investment in recovery MUST be in addition to existing supervised consumption sites, which provide an evidence-based, trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach. This approach helps people rather than further criminalizing them, which only discourages people from accessing care.”

Dr. Siu Mee Cheng, Executive Director of Street Haven writes, “The closure of these life-saving resources is yet another blow for women seeking much needed support when it comes to addictions. Public health policies should be based on evidence, especially when lives are at stake.”