The fate of Ontario's overdose prevention sites, including one in London, is in limbo after the government announced that it is debating whether or not to continue funding the facilities.
Minister of Health Christine Elliott said the newly elected Tory government will be reviewing the merits of sites, such as the temporary overdose prevention facility located at 186 King St. in London. Funding for overdose prevention sites was previously authorized by the former Liberal government.
"We are taking a look at the supervised consumption site and overdose prevention site models. We want to make sure we get it right," Elliott said during Tuesday's question period at Queen's Park. "This is a big decision to make to continue and to open more if we need to have more. We are listening to the experts. We are listening to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Children's Mental Health Ontario, Addictions Mental Health Ontario to finally develop a comprehensive strategy for mental health and addiction in this province, including the supervised injection sites and overdose prevention site models."
The area’s medical officer of health recently asked the Middlesex London Health Unit’s board to move forward with a request to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for an extension to keep the site running for another six months. The funding for the facility is slated to expire on August 15.
Elliott said the province intends to make a decision in the coming weeks on whether or not to continue the funding for sites awaiting funding. She said a decision on the program as a whole will then be made at a later date.
There has been more than 4,000 client visits and several overdose reversals at the temporary London facility since it first opened its doors in February. According to a report submitted to the health unit's board, there has also been 91 client referrals to other services including addictions treatment, mental health counselling, and housing. The most common drug being consumed at the site is hydromorphone, followed by crystal methamphetamine.
The local health unit is currently awaiting approval from Health Canada for two permanent supervised drug-consumption sites. The two proposed locations are at 241 Simcoe St., a building owned by the London and Middlesex Housing Corporation, and 446 York St., which is across from Mission Services of London.
-With files from Miranda Chant
