Group 'disappointed' by Ontario's decision not to fund Sudbury’s safe consumption site

Sudbury's safe consumption site called ‘The Spot’ was located in a trailer on Energy Court. Pictured here on Jan. 16/24. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The Community Drug Strategy in Sudbury said Thursday it is "disappointed" the province has officially rejected funding the city's supervised consumption site.

The SPOT, as the site was known, had to close its doors due to the lack of funding.

"The decision to reject funding for The SPOT, along with the broader policy direction away from evidence-based harm reduction measures such as supervised consumption, and safer supply, is concerning and risks worsening the toxic drug crisis," the group said in a news release.

"While we welcome the province’s recent announcement to increase access to transitional housing, mental health services, and treatment options — key priorities identified at the Greater Sudbury Summit on Toxic Drugs — we must emphasize that a complete range of services must include harm reduction alongside treatment. Treatment alone will not solve the complex toxic drug crisis."

The group said evidence has shown supervised consumption services make "communities healthier by decreasing deaths, decreasing blood-borne infections and reducing pressure on the health-care system."

"Additionally, these services improve the quality of life in the community by reducing needle waste, public drug use, and minor crimes like theft, without increasing serious crimes like drug trafficking or assaults," the release said.

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"Every life lost in this toxic drug crisis is preventable. Harm reduction, including supervised consumption sites, save lives."

The release was signed by Heidi Eisenhauer, executive director of Réseau ACCESS Network, and Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, acting medical officer of health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury & Districts.