What’s New?
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
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is deeply saddened to confirm the loss of a community member following an on-site medical emergency at Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS).
On October 1, Carepoint responded to an individual in medical distress. Staff delivered an immediate crisis response, which included contacting emergency medical services. Emergency responders provided further aid on-site and transported the individual to hospital. We were informed that the individual was later pronounced deceased. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not release any further information about this individual.
During this difficult time, our organization is joined together to mourn this member of our community. Our heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends, and loved ones.
We are deeply grateful for the frontline staff and emergency responders who were present on-site to deliver immediate medical support. Our thoughts are with the countless community members who share in our grief and care deeply for the people we serve.
Supervised consumption services, such as Carepoint, are here in our communities to reduce the risks of substance use and connect individuals to treatment, healthcare, and social supports. We are committed to reviewing and strengthening our services on an ongoing basis to ensure that Carepoint upholds the highest standards of care.
We maintain full transparency in working closely with the London Police Service (LPS) as part of their standard investigative process, providing all necessary information to support their ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Coroner's Office. We will continue to share updates with community in the coming days.
Every May, RHAC celebrates some of the staff roles that move our mission forward every day. In honour of several Staff Appreciation marking our calendars this month, thank you to the Caregivers, Nurses, Harm Reduction staff, Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Paramedics, and Human Resources professionals who have made positive impacts in our organization and the lives of community members we proudly serve.
Pride is not just another month on the calendar. It is a movement, and we’re working with community to keep the momentum going. This July, RHAC proudly unites around the theme of Gather Against! as we join together against harm, violence, and oppression alongside 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, allies, and our chosen families. This summer, we're heading out into community to co-host queer-friendly gatherings. We hope you will join us this July, and beyond, in solidarity and celebration!
Drag Bingo (Hosted by Galaxy Rose)
JULY 22 • 7-9 PM • London Brewing Co-operative (521 Burbrook Pl.)
Celebrate Pride with Sex Toy Bingo, hosted by London drag performer Galaxy Rose with prizes sponsored by The Stag Shop (London's Store 3). Join us for a night of fun as we celebrate queer joy, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to walk away with a prize of your own! This event is 18+.
Play Your Way Pride Booth
JULY 22, 23 • 11 AM-4 PM • Victoria Park (580 Clarence St.)
Stop by our Play Your Way Pride Booth in Victoria Park. RHAC staff will be on-site providing free sexual health and harm reduction resources, including Naloxone training!
Stronger Together: Exploring Queer Solidarity
JULY 27 • 7-9 PM • Tap Centre for Creativity (203 Dundas St.)
Join us for a conversation dedicated to exploring what queer solidarity can look like in the face of systemic harm. Moderated by local educator Melissa Alder, this discussion will feature 6 panelists from our local community with diverse experiences and perspectives to consider what queer resilience and resistance can look like as we move into the future. Doors open: 6:30 PM. Panel discussion scheduled for 1.5 hours with time for Q&A/Discussion.
June marks Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, as well as Indigenous Solidarity Day on June 21, as we join together in celebration of the rich histories and diversity of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
For more information about Indigenous Solidarity Day, please visit atlohsa.com.
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC)’s Director of Harm Reduction, Sonja Burke, has made the decision to start her retirement journey, effective July 28, 2023.
Sonja’s career at RHAC spans 11 years of compassionate and dedicated service. During that time, Sonja has earned the respected recognition of her colleagues and community as a leader, collaborator, and advocate. Her contributions and efforts have been instrumental in the adoption and expansion of life-saving harm reduction programs, including our Counterpoint and Carepoint programs. Sonja’s long-term leadership fostered a Harm Reduction department—which started out in 2012 with 2 staff members and 2 satellite sites—into a frontline of 40+ staff and 29 satellite locations (including hospitals, mobile units, pharmacies, and partner agencies). In building RHAC’s Harm Reduction team, Sonja has remained an ally and advocate for employees and peers with lived/living experience. In 2020, she expanded the Harm Reduction Peer Program, which centres opportunities for people who use(d) substances to support our collective response to the ongoing toxic drug crisis.
Sonja has been a pivotal force in extending access to vital harm reduction supports—namely as a key driver behind the pilots and partnerships which: introduced Ontario’s first sanctioned Temporary Overdose Prevention Site (TOPS), now the permanent Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service; welcomed Harm Reduction workers and strategies in hospitals; supported the Health Outreach Mobile Engagement (H.O.M.E) program in 2021; rolled out mobile outreach vans in Elgin and Oxford counties; and introduced the Naloxone Program in 2014. In addition to her many responsibilities at RHAC, Sonja has contributed to countless committees and collaborations, including:
- Serving on the Steering Committee for the Middlesex-London Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy (CDAS) as a Harm Reduction Pillar Co-Chair to develop a long-term, locally-developed strategy for London and Middlesex;
- Supporting and participating in approximately 31 harm reduction research studies;
- Sitting on multiple provincial and national working groups to address harm reduction, supervised consumption, splitting and sharing within supervised consumption sites, and safe inhalation; and
- The Provincial Harm Reduction Advisory Committee.
Her work has reflected an unwavering commitment to social justice by centering inclusive, dignified and culturally-safe care for marginalized community members. In 2018, she helped to launch RHAC’s Harm Reduction Services partnership with Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) and Chippewa of the Thames Health Centre. That same year, Sonja received the 2018 Atlohsa Peace Award for Bravery in recognition of her work towards Truth and Reconciliation.
In the face of stigma and adversity, Sonja has led fellow change-makers with the courage to do what is right. Her legacy is one of unparalleled courage. Perhaps Sonja’s perseverance is best exemplified by her steering of the 7-year journey to permanently house the Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service at 446 York Street. Alongside a dedicated team, Sonja worked tirelessly to keep services available and accessible amid a global pandemic and the complex relocation process. Most recently, she welcomed the launch of innovative drug-checking technology at Carepoint, which will allow staff and participants to test the toxicity of substances and prevent drug poisonings.
Sonja’s impassioned voice and vision have informed the cutting-edge and compassionate quality of care that RHAC’s Harm Reduction programs offer our community. Her lasting impact is nothing short of life-saving and barrier-breaking. Please join us in extending our greatest gratitude to Sonja as we wish her the very best in her retirement!
In the coming months, RHAC will be conducting a search for RHAC’s next Director of Harm Reduction.
May 7 is #InternationalHarmReductionDay, which aims to promote evidence-based policies, practices and programs to reduce the social, legal and health-related harms associated with substance use.
Today is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the incredible dedication and compassion of RHAC’s harm reduction workers who are driving positive change in solidarity and collaboration with people who use(d) drugs. Thank you to the community members who trust us and our partners to provide compassionate care and support through RHAC’s harm reduction programs.
Today, and every day, we celebrate all of the #HarmReduction heroes working on the frontlines to save lives and affirm the rights and dignities of people who use drugs.
An Open Letter to Norwich Township Mayor and Council:
We are writing this letter to ask you to reconsider two recent decisions.
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The decision to ban Pride flags in the township of Norwich.
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The decision to not recognize Pride Month during the month of June in the township of Norwich.
The Board of Directors of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) serves individuals and diverse communities living with, at-risk for, or affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in Perth, Huron, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford Counties. We are proud to provide all communities within our regional boundaries, including the township of Norwich, with education, programming and client services.
Like many across our region, we were alarmed by the comments made by many members of your town council as you were deciding to restrict the types of flags permitted to fly on municipal properties and downtown lamp posts and to not recognize the month of June as Pride Month. These decisions effectively ban Pride flags and other meaningful flags for so many communities (i.e. flags representing Every Child Matters, etc.). Pride flags and Pride Month are more than just symbolic gestures. They represent the continuing legacies of hope, pride and love, which are so important to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
As elected representatives of the township of Norwich, you have previously stated your commitment to community safety via the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan to address mental and physical health, housing and addiction; yet, your recent actions do not align with these goals. Removing these symbols of love and acceptance for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals contributes to a culture where violence and hate is tolerated. Unfortunately, your actions are not isolated and contribute to an alarming increase in homophobic and transphobic discrimination and violence in our region and across Canada.
Members of Norwich Township Council, we urge you to reconsider and reverse these exclusionary bylaws and realign yourself to your stated commitment to a safe community for all, especially those at increased risk of violence.
Sincerely,
Chris Moss
Chair of the RHAC Board of Directors
Martin McIntosh
Executive Director
P.S.: Attention Mayor and Clerk, please include this letter on the public agenda of the next meeting.
- 4-5 PM: Virtual Reception (Online Only)
- 5-6 PM: Ceremony (Online and In-Person)
- 6-7 PM: Reception (In-Person Only)
STEP 1: RSVP
STEP 2: Sign the digital guestbook
STEP 3: Submit a word for Brian's retirement 'word cloud'
STEP 4: Share a photo
A Final Executive Message from Brian Lester
With this being my final offering in our agency newsletter, I can’t help but reflect on the past 16 years with profound appreciation for how this experience impacted my professional and personal life. I came to the AIDS Committee of London, affectionately known as ACOL, in October 2006 and could never have imagined the journey ahead of me. At the time of joining this small but mighty social justice organization we had a staff of approximately 12 individuals. With this group of people, I found a team deeply committed to and courageously advancing social justice efforts for those living with and affected by HIV/HCV and related issues. Further, as a queer man entering this space, I remember thinking how affirming the environment left me feeling. I felt I was able to be my “whole self” in the space. While I felt mostly comfortable as a gay man in other work environments throughout my career, ACOL offered me the gift of a deeper sense of belonging. I hold immense gratitude for this gift!
Present-day RHAC has over 70 employees and a range of programs across three locations. Even with such growth, RHAC is still about people! Connecting to people, supporting people, and aligning with other people who are fighting for a better world for those impacted by the issues we exist to address. There are so many people who have touched my life in profound ways while doing this work. I know if I try to list you all, I will inadvertently miss someone. I simply want to offer my sincerest thank you to the many RHAC team members, community partners, supporters and volunteers, people living with HIV or HCV and those who are impacted by addiction. I have learned from you, grown from your wisdom, and laughed with you. I have also cried with you in the tragic loss and injustice associated with this work. I believe that throughout this journey, in service to the RHAC mission, we have truly actualized “The Courage to Do what Is Right." In this experience, I strived to serve the RHAC mission to the best of my ability. Throughout, I was surrounded by remarkable people that found their way to this organization!
I honour all the amazing people who have supported me throughout my RHAC journey - I will miss you.
Brian Lester