Supervised consumption sites are essential to save lives
To our supporters, participants, staff, peers, volunteers, funders, and community members:
The provincial government recently announced significant changes to Ontario's funding and delivery of Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS).
Among these changes is the planned closure of 10 Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS) located within 200 metres of schools and childcare centres. In Toronto, this means that five sites, including our Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site (KMOPS), are slated to close by March 31, 2025.
The impact of this decision is dire. In a city where the overdose crisis has been devastating, these lifesaving services are essential.
Preliminary data from Toronto Public Health shows the extent of the crisis: in 2023, 523 people died from drug toxicity in Toronto, a staggering 74% increase from 2019.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health calls for an all-of-society approach to reduce substance use harms and has urged consideration of SCS expansion.
“There are currently between 2,500 and 3,000 drug toxicity deaths in Ontario each year—one tragic, preventable death every three hours, largely due to the toxic unregulated drug supply.”
In fact, research cited from a recent policy paper from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario showed that
overdose deaths declined by 42% since the introduction of supervised consumption sites.
The evidence is clear – supervised consumption sites save lives. They provide a safe and supervised environment where people can use substances under the care of trained professionals. These sites:
- Reduce the risk of fatal overdoses;
- Prevent the spread of infectious diseases and bloodborne illnesses;
- Offer access to immediate health services and support for those who use substances
- Connect people to treatment, harm reduction services, and other social supports; and
- Serve as a crucial intervention in addressing the overdose crisis and promoting public health and safety in our communities.
Since its inception in 2018, KMOPS has played a vital role in reducing the number of overdose deaths in a neighbourhood identified by the City of Toronto as a hotspot for drug-related fatalities. The dedicated KMOPS team has a proven track record of saving lives, and they work hard every day to create a supportive and safe space for 500+ clients. There have been zero overdose deaths at our site.
Our commitment to the community and the vulnerable people within is unwavering. We have always been ready and willing to work with our government, partners, donors and community to do what is right for people in need.
While the provincial government has announced a $378 million investment in 19 “HART” (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hubs, this initiative must be in addition to existing supervised consumption sites, not a replacement.
To that end, we will continue to fight to keep our Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site open, just like we did in 2019 when the province cut funding without any warning. Thanks to funding from generous donors and the community, we were able to keep our site open to save lives. Your continued support is vital, and we urge you to reach out to your MPPs to advocate for the preservation of these lifesaving services.
Our Kensington neighbours have always stood with us and continue to do so. The Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields expressed their shock and distress over the provincial government’s decision:
“We, the community of the Church of St Stephen-in-the-Fields, are shocked and distressed at the provincial government’s announced intention to close the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site at 260 Augusta Avenue, along with four other Toronto overdose prevention sites. The KMOPS has been a safe and peaceful presence in the neighbourhood — indeed, so peaceful that many people in the area were unaware of its existence until they saw press coverage of the provincial government’s decision to defund the site in 2019. In the five years since then, the site has operated with funding from donors, who are well aware of its lifesaving importance.” Read the full release here.
And on September 17, a coalition of 33 multi-fath leaders sent a letter of support to Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
Moreover, one of The Neighbourhood Group’s childcare centres has been located near KMOPS without incident, thanks to our qualified staff and peer team who have effectively provided harm reduction services for over 25 years to people who use substances. KMOPS offers crisis support and interventions, reduces public drug use and serves as a crucial gateway to other vital services, including primary and mental health care, treatment, housing, and social supports.
In short, the reality is that people will continue to use substances. Without supervised consumption sites, the risks to people and the communities in which they live will only increase.
We understand that this announcement may create unrest for our clients, staff, and the broader harm reduction community and we will keep you informed as soon as we know more. We will continue to work tirelessly alongside leaders, government, advocates and professionals across the sector to mobilize and collaboratively address the coming changes.
Please reach out to Bill Sinclair, President and CEO, with any questions or concerns.
CEO@tngcs.org
416.925.2103
www.tngcommunityto.org
TNG in the News
Media Stories about the Closings