Dead people don’t need recovery beds: Ontario’s closure of ten supervised consumption facilities will result in more toxic drug deaths
The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is raising serious concerns over the Ontario government’s recent announcement to ban supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of schools and daycares and the proposed legislation prohibiting any new supervised consumption facilities and the participation in safer supply programs.
“Each of the ten supervised consumption facilities slated for closure have saved hundreds of lives by providing interventions after clients consumed tainted drugs,” said Ian Culbert, CPHA’s executive director. “While the province’s future investment of $378 million in 19 new treatment hubs is a positive step, the decision to close several supervised consumption facilities will have immediate devastating consequences for vulnerable populations across Ontario.”
Evidence from Ontario’s existing supervised consumption sites indicates that they are critical in preventing overdose deaths. These sites provide a controlled environment where individuals can use substances safely, with immediate access to life-saving interventions and connections to health services. The closure of these sites, particularly in areas with high opioid toxicity rates, is likely to result in a sharp increase in overdose fatalities. Communities in Northern Ontario, such as Timmins and Sudbury, already experience overdose mortality rates nearly three times the provincial average, and the closure of sites in these regions will only exacerbate the crisis.
“Supervised consumption facilities and other harm reduction interventions will not solve the toxic drug crisis by themselves, but they are part of a holistic approach that also requires significant provincial investment in health, mental health, social, and housing services,” said Culbert. “Supervised consumption sites are not only places of safety for users but also serve as crucial points of contact for those seeking to enter treatment. The removal of these sites could push people back into unsafe, public spaces, increasing the likelihood of needle-sharing, public drug use, and exposure to toxic substances. This contradicts the harm reduction strategies endorsed by leading health authorities worldwide.”
Research shows that supervised consumption facilities reduce the burden on emergency services and improve public safety. By providing a safe space for drug use, these sites reduce public drug use and the associated public order issues. The closure of these sites is likely to result in increased visibility of drug use in public spaces, further endangering both users and the broader community.
“The new treatment hubs, while a welcome addition, cannot fully replace the essential services provided by supervised consumption facilities,” said Culbert. “Many individuals who use these facilities face significant barriers to accessing traditional treatment services, including stigma, transportation challenges, and the immediate need for safe consumption facilities. Without the availability of nearby consumption sites, many will be left without critical support, worsening their health outcomes and straining the healthcare system.”
“We recognize that some people are uncomfortable with the concept of supervised consumption facilities and harm reduction intervention in general, but they should not be deceived that these interventions are the source of the toxic drug crisis,” said Culbert. “The claims of threats to public safety are a symptom of the lack of appropriately funded health, mental health, social, and housing services in the Province of Ontario.”
CPHA urges the Ontario government to reconsider its decision and prioritize the expansion, rather than the reduction, of harm reduction services along with the expansion of health, mental health, social and housing services. We call for an evidence-based approach that balances the establishment of new treatment hubs with the continuation of essential supervised consumption services, particularly in communities most affected by the opioid crisis. The safety and well-being of our communities depend on maintaining these life-saving services.