Sign and share petition for funding of supervised consumption service sites
More must be done to end Ontario’s toxic drug crisis. Nearly 10 Ontarians are dying every day from the unregulated and toxic drug supply, joining the almost 3,800 people lost to this scourge in 2023. Precious lives are lost and communities left to grieve. This is avoidable!
The Ontario government must expedite the assessment of applications for consumption and treatment service sites (CTS) in response to this public health crisis. Instead, the provincial government has frozen assessments of all CTSs.
After waiting for 18 months for approval of its CTS application, Windsor’s supervised consumption services site (SCS) was forced to shutdown at the end of 2023 due to lack of provincial funding. Sudbury’s SCS was forced to close at the end of March – after staff had waited two and a half years for an answer on its application for CTS funding.
Other CTS applications around the province are still waiting for their application to be assessed while members of their communities continue to die or be hospitalized from toxic drugs. Barrie, which filed its application two and a half years ago, is still waiting for the provincial government to respond.
In February, the eastern Ontario town of Belleville declared an addiction, mental health and homelessness state of emergency after 23 people collapsed within 48 hours due to drug toxicity. Six people died between Feb. 25 and March 15. Peterborough reports that overdose rates rose by 26 per cent in 2023.
I urge you to print, sign and circulate RNAO's petition calling on the government to fund supervised consumption service sites and consumption and treatment service sites.
The government has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all Ontarians. SCSs and CTSs reduce deaths, injuries, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and the incidence of HIV and hepatitis. These sites keep people alive and provide a gateway to supportive services, including addiction treatment.
Please, sign this petition and also distribute it broadly amongst your colleagues, family, friends, neighbours and any resident of Ontario. The petition will be tabled in the legislature by supporting MPPs from all parties.
Provide signed original copies to your member of provincial parliament – or mail them to Ann-Marie Morris, coordinator of RNAO’s Policy Department, and we will ensure that your signed petitions are presented in Ontario’s legislature. RNAO’s mailing address is listed on the front of the petition. Note: The Ontario legislature does not accept electronic petitions.
Thank you for taking political action as we continue to speak out for nurses and speak out for health. Through this petition, your voice will be heard again at Queen’s Park.
If you have questions, please email health policy coordinator, Ann-Marie Morris, at amorris@RNAO.ca.
With deep gratitude for your support and warmest regards,
Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, BScN, MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), DHC, DHC, FAAN, FCAN, O.ONT.
Chief Executive Officer
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)
