Toronto Supervised Consumption Site to Close Amid Funding Cuts

A supervised consumption site in Toronto’s west end is set to close next month after the Ontario government ceased its funding. The Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre announced that the cessation of financial support, effective November 22, 2023, is a devastating blow that will likely push individuals to use drugs in public spaces, exacerbating existing issues within the community.

The decision to terminate funding stems from concerns raised by the province regarding increased crime in the area. A spokesperson for Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones stated that the funding would instead be redirected towards the province’s addiction treatment and recovery programs. Ema Popovic emphasized that the government’s focus is on creating alternatives to supervised consumption sites.

The Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre had previously closed another supervised consumption site in the spring of 2023. This closure followed the introduction of legislation banning such facilities within 200 metres of schools and daycare centres. The centre, along with various others across Ontario, transitioned to the new HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) hubs model aimed at providing abstinence-based treatment.

Community Response and Concerns

Angela Robertson, the executive director of the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, expressed strong support for the HART hubs but criticized the abandonment of supervised consumption services. She stated, “We need both, along with the supportive housing and wrap-around care that the government itself says is required.” Robertson warned that closing a vital service without offering a suitable alternative would endanger lives and heighten community tensions.

In a conversation with The Canadian Press during the summer, Robertson highlighted the significant growth at the Parkdale site following the closure of other consumption facilities, which led to considerable instability in the area. Local group Residents for a Safe Parkdale voiced their frustrations, claiming their concerns had been overlooked, and criticized the security measures employed by the centre for failing to address the “chaos and disorder” in the neighbourhood.

Government’s Alternative Measures

The Ontario government has asserted that it is creating more pathways for individuals to break the cycle of addiction by establishing 28 HART hubs across the province. According to official data, more than 10,000 people have accessed services at HART hubs since their launch on April 1, 2023. Furthermore, statistics from the Office of the Chief Coroner indicate a notable decrease in opioid-related deaths, with 609 suspected drug-related deaths reported from April to June 2023, marking an 11 percent decrease from the preceding three months and a 41 percent reduction compared to the same period last year.

As the closure of the supervised consumption site approaches, community leaders and health advocates remain concerned about the potential impact on public health and safety. The emphasis on transitioning to alternative treatment models continues to prompt discussions about the best strategies to support individuals facing addiction while addressing community safety and well-being.