Dozens protested outside Ontario's Health Ministry against the government's plan to close 10 supervised drug consumption sites by March, including five in Toronto. The Progressive Conservative government cited proximity to schools and daycares as a reason for the closures and introduced a ban on new sites, shifting toward an abstinence-based approach. Advocates like Suzanne Fish from the Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition argue this could exacerbate the opioid crisis, which has already seen over 2,600 overdose deaths in 2023. Similar protests occurred across multiple Ontario cities, highlighting widespread concern over public health policies in the election context.
Closing supervised drug consumption sites will lead to more overdose deaths, especially among marginalized groups who rely on these critical services in Toronto.
The government’s shift away from harm reduction strategies raises serious concerns in a province already grappling with an opioid crisis.
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