To our Community Partners, Careholders, and Members of the Public,
The Ontario government recently announced the planned closure of several supervised Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS). This decision includes new safety mandates for remaining sites and plans to introduce 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs. The announcement also proposes legislation that would prohibit future CTS sites from opening in Ontario communities.1 Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) can confirm that London’s CTS site, Carepoint, continues to operate and is not included among the 10 sites currently scheduled for closure by the province.
In light of these developments, RHAC’s Board of Directors reaffirms our unwavering commitment to supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community members our harm reduction programs serve. While Carepoint is fortunate to continue operating, the proposed closures and prohibition of other CTS sites raises significant public health and safety concerns for affected communities. We stand in solidarity with the vulnerable community members and frontline workers affected by these proposals. Now is the time to come together to ensure that harm reduction remains a cornerstone within a comprehensive substance use strategy for our community.
RHAC stands firm in our support of harm reduction. Alongside prevention, treatment, and enforcement,2 it remains crucial to a comprehensive response to the risks associated with substance use. The evidence is clear: CTS sites can reduce the risks of overdose and disease transmission (including HIV/HCV) while providing individuals access to other supports as pathways towards treatment, housing, and healthcare.3 Since 2018, Carepoint has reversed over 1,023 opioid poisonings. These life-saving interventions reduce the strain on emergency services and provide an immediate response to those most at-risk of an overdose or drug-related death. While contributing to the overall health and safety of our community, our services are also meeting complex needs and making important connections. In 2023, we facilitated: 1,287 referrals to addiction and treatment services; 1,623 primary healthcare referrals; and 6,048 referrals to other social services. Harm reduction is central to Carepoint’s ability to safeguard public health, reduce the risks associated with substance use, and connect vulnerable community members to the care they deserve.
Carepoint remains dedicated to working transparently with our local partners, law enforcement, and the broader community to ensure that our services remain safe, accessible, and responsive to concerns. RHAC will continue to actively engage with our neighbors, clients, and partners to address concerns, promote community safety, and support those impacted by substance use, addiction, and the toxic drug supply. We welcome every opportunity to strengthen our programming as a trusted and valuable community service, including the measures introduced by the recent provincial announcement to enhance safety and security for everyone.
Addressing the complexities of homelessness and addiction requires more supports, not less. Our communities do not have to choose between harm reduction or treatment and recovery. These kinds of care can work together to improve health outcomes. We welcome the provincial government’s investment in addiction and treatment options. We also recognize that strategies failing to offer harm reduction services, such as HART Hubs, cannot replace the care provided by supervised consumption and treatment sites. Harm reduction services are a critical part of a comprehensive response to the crisis that continues to take the lives of vulnerable community members every day.
Together, we can work towards a safer, healthier, and more compassionate future. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in this critical work.
To read this open letter in full, and learn more about RHAC’s position statement on harm reduction and Supervised Consumption Services (SCS), please visit: hivaidsconnection.ca/SCSOpenLetter
ENDNOTES:
- Ministry of Health. Ontario protecting communities and supporting addiction recovery with new treatment hubs, August 20, 2024. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004955/ontario-protecting-communities-and-supporting-addiction-recovery-with-new-treatment-hubs
- Health Canada. Pillars of the Canadian drugs and substances strategy, August 13, 2018. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/pillars-canadian-drugs-substances-strategy.html
- Health Canada. Supervised consumption explained: Types of sites and services, February 9, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/supervised-consumption-sites/explained.html