Statement from the Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury
Issued: Thursday, August 22, 2024You can sign up to receive drug alerts and warnings issued in our community by the Community Drug Strategy.
The Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury (CDS) is disappointed that the Government of Ontario has officially rejected the funding application for Greater Sudbury’s supervised consumption site. The SPOT recently had to close its doors as provincial funding remained outstanding. 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.
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.
Evidence has consistently shown that 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 CDS continues to believe that addressing the complex problem of drug toxicity in our communities requires leveraging all possible evidenced-based solutions—not leaving any off the table. This includes harm reduction tools such as supervised consumption and safe supply, alongside health promotion; wraparound social supports; treatment; and enforcement that protects community safety. We should also be exploring regulatory changes such as alternatives to criminalization.
The CDS remains committed to following through on the recommendations from the Summit. Our vision remains one of a community working together to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all individuals, families, and neighbourhoods in Greater Sudbury by reducing substance-related harms.
Every life lost in this toxic drug crisis is preventable. Harm reduction, including supervised consumption sites, save lives.
Heidi Eisenhauer, Executive Director for Réseau ACCESS Network
Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Co-chairs, Executive Committee, Community Drug Strategy
This item was last modified on August 23, 2024