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.
I Won’t Make it Without This Program’: The Impact of Safer Opioid Supply Program Closures in Ontario Ali, F., Sprakes, A., Mende-Gibson, J., Russell, C., Shaw, A., Bonn, M., Celinksi, A., Kaminski, N., Karamouzian, M., Strike, M., Rehm, J