The Ontario government says it will end provincial funding for several supervised consumption sites, including one in Peterborough, as it shifts its focus toward addiction treatment and recovery services.
According to the Ministry of Health, seven supervised consumption sites across Ontario will no longer receive provincial funding, including facilities in Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, London and Peterborough.
The province says the change applies in communities that already have Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment hubs, known as HART hubs.
Ontario says it has invested almost $550 million to establish 28 HART hubs across the province, providing access to addiction treatment, mental health care and supportive housing. Provincial officials say the hubs have already delivered more than 100,000 client interactions.
A 90 day wind down period will allow clients currently using supervised consumption sites to transition to services offered through the treatment hubs.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the government’s focus is on treatment, recovery and improving safety in communities.
However, the move is facing criticism from the Ontario NDP.
Dr. Robin Lennox, the party’s shadow minister for mental health and addictions, says supervised consumption sites provide a monitored space that helps prevent overdoses and connect people with health care.
Lennox also pointed to growing overdose numbers in some communities, noting that paramedics in Hamilton responded to 199 overdoses in February alone, the highest monthly total recorded there.
The policy change follows provincial legislation that restricts supervised consumption sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or child care centres.
Ontario says the broader goal is to expand treatment focused services while responding to public safety concerns raised by some municipalities.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)