ANNOUNCEMENT: Supervised Consumption Sites Closures The provincial government recently announced a ban on supervised consumption sites within 200 meters of school or childcare centres. This resulted in the closure of nine provincially-funded sites, and one self-funded site. In place of these closures, the government plans to establish a new system of care, Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatmement (HART) Hubs. HART Hubs will not offer safer supply, supervised consumtpion, or needle exchange programs.
Ontario Newsroom Announcements: Ban on supervised consumption sites HERE | HART Hubs HERE |
Ongoing Research
Research Paper: Client Perspectives on SOS Program CLosures
Given the impending closures, this study aims to explore SOS clients’ perspectives on these closures and the impact these programs have had on their lives. It also seeks to understand whether and to what extent SOS clients anticipate the closures affecting their health and well-being, as well as any strategies they may use to cope with the disruption of service. By centering the voices of people who use drugs (PWUD), this research aims to provide critical insights into the consequences of policy decisions that undermine evidence-based SOS programs. Understanding the lived experiences and needs of those directly affected can inform advocacy efforts and policy recommendations to mitigate harm and uphold the fundamental principles of harm reduction within Ontario’s broader substance use strategy.
Research Paper: Mapping the Overdose Crisis in Ontario: Geographic Disparities in Opioid-Related Harms and Services
The overdose crisis in Ontario is not limited to urban centers, it is an escalating public health emergency in rural and sparsely populated PHUs. Without targeted service interventions for rural and sparsely populated communities, the disparities in opioid-related health outcomes will continue to grow, as services designed for urban communities are not successful in more geographically isolated areas, leaving the most vulnerable populations at an even greater risk of preventable overdose and death. Addressing these disparities is key to reducing opioid-related mortality and ensuring equitable access to life-saving services across Ontario.
Letter to the Editor: The Impact of Provincial Decisions on Access to Safer Supply Programs in Ontario, Canada
We provided an overview of the provincial government's response to the opioid crisis in Ontario, outlining the recent policy amendments and plans to shift away from a harm reduction approach to substance use. Harm reduction services such as safer opioid supply (SOS) programs and supervised consumption sites (SCS) have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing overdoses and drug-related harms and are supported by medical professionals, researchers, and people who use drugs (PWUD). However, the provincial government has now placed restrictions on the operation of SCSs and SSPs in Ontario, resulting in the closure of 10 SCSs, six of which house SSPs. Harm reduction services will be replaced by Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, offering integrated services already provided by SCSs and SSPs. Further, harm reduction services such as needle exchange, SCS, and SOS programs will not be included in the HART Hub initiative.
CAHSPR Conference: Regional Overview of Safer Opioid Supply Program Operations and Characteristics in Ontario, Canada
We collected data from 18 SUAP-funded safer opioid supply (SOS) programs across Ontario that were operational as of May 2024. SOS programs were categorized based on the city location and Ontario health region (North West, West, North East, East, Central, and Toronto). From here, we collected data on program infrastructure, wraparound supports, client eligibility criteria, capacity and enrollment, and medications offered at each site. The data revealed disparities in program location, with the majority of SOS programs located in the South region and none in the Central region. Further disparities were revealed when looking at the variety of medications offered, which can affect client enrollment and retention. It is important to consider the variation in program operations and work to minimize barriers for client access, as SOS programs have consistently demonstrated effectiveness in improving the lives of people who use drugs (PWUD).