Health officials concerned about the future of overdose prevention sites need not be concerned any longer.
The Ontario government announced Monday that it will continue to fund overdose prevention sites, with some conditions. But Dr. Christopher Mackie, medical officer of health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit, says the conditions being set by the government are already being met at the Temporary Overdose Prevention Site in London.
"They wan't more of the wrap-around services to be in place. Addictions treatment, a link with housing, things that we're actually already doing in London," said Dr. Mackie. "In fact, it looks like they looked at the London model and decided that's how they were going to do the provincial model. We're absolutely okay with all of that."
In addition to addiction treatment and housing, organizations looking to operate supervised consumption sites will have a few other hoops to jump through.
"Organizations would need to apply to provide treatment and rehabilitation services, and would also need to offer connections to health and social services, including primary care, mental health supports, housing, and employment," a statement from the Ministry of Health said. "After each site is selected, consultations would be held to ensure the voices of communities are heard. Sites would also need to have a plan in place to ensure community concerns are addressed on an ongoing basis."
The government is also changing the official terminology, calling the care strategy Consumption and Treatment Services, replacing the often used Supervised Consumption Services and Overdose Prevention Sites.
Health Minister Christine Elliott announced that the province will approve no more than 21 supervised consumption sites. Existing facilities can apply to continue operating under the new regime planned by the government. The PC government had come under criticism in the summer when it hit the pause button on supervised consumption sites in other communities, but Mackie says it's clear to him that the government decided to look at the evidence, rather than any ideology.
"I think it's really a historic moment in the province. I think what we're seeing is that supervised consumption has finally transcended politics and it's become clear that it aligns with a conservative agenda in terms of addressing addictions and mental health," he said. "It's very efficient at preventing health care costs."
The province also announced that it plans to create more detox beds in high need communities.