A last-minute announcement by the province will allow drug users in Guelph to continue accessing the supervised consumption site at the Community Health Centre.
“I can tell you, there was tears of joy amongst the staff when they heard the news today,” said Raechelle Devereaux, executive director of the Community Health Centre, where the Overdose Prevention Site is located. “It was good news for us to hear today.”
Staff at the site were uncertain about its future before a 3 p.m. announcement from The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which named the Guelph site as one of 15 in the province that will be given a one-year license to operate under a new Consumption and Treatment Services sites (CTS) name.
“What this means is that amidst this overdose crisis currently facing our community, we are able to continue offering life-saving overdose prevention services and connections to social supports, health and treatment services to those who need and deserve them,” said Devereaux.
The new Ontario government shifted its focus to add more access to treatment services when it announced the development of the new CTS model in the fall, but Devereaux said giving drug users those treatment options has always been a part of Guelph’s OPS.
“That has always been a priority of the Overdose Prevention Site,” said Devereaux. “That focus on connecting people to supports is something we will continue to do under this new model.”
Devereaux said the Overdose Prevention Site will transition to the CTS model over the next couple of weeks.
In a press release, Christine Elliott, minister of Health and Long-Term Care, said the 15 sites that were approved were in communities determined to have high need and that the government will continue to take applications from interested organizations.
"Our government takes the opioids crisis very seriously," said Elliott. "That's why we've created a new Consumption and Treatment Services model that will continue to save lives by preventing overdoses and connecting people to primary care, treatment, rehabilitation, and other health and social services to ensure those struggling with drug addiction get the help they need."
The Overdose Prevention Site in Guelph has so far served 423 unique individuals, with almost 4,400 visits to date. It handles about 14 visits per day.
Devereaux said she is disappointed to hear that some sites currently operating will be shut down as a result of the announcement and is empathetic to the people who staff them.
“We have been working in tandem with our partners across the province to save lives in this crisis. I imagine it is incredibly disappointing to have heard news that they were not approved this afternoon,” she said. “Closing doors of emergency overdose prevention services amidst a crisis raises significant concern.”
Guelph’s Overdose Prevention Site was able to apply for additional staffing as part of its application to the CTS program.
Devereaux said she does not yet know the specifics of the approval, but is hopeful for the possible addition of additional nursing staff and a social worker.
With that enhanced staffing team, we are really helpful that we can really provide a more comprehensive team and care model,” said Devereaux.
The approval comes with a one-year license to operate the CTS site, with a chance for renewal.
