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"Criticizing Predetermined Failure: Harm Reduction Advocate Slams Shift to HART Centers"

Province's decision to shut down numerous harm reduction safe injection facilities and replacing them with alleged HART hubs is ill-advised, claims expert.

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4 min read

"Criticizing Predetermined Failure: Harm Reduction Advocate Slams Shift to HART Centers"

In the heart of Ottawa, harm reduction advocates are speaking out against the Ontario government's plan to convert safe consumption sites into Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs. Rob Boyd, CEO of Ottawa Inner City Health, one of the remaining safe consumption sites in the capital, believes this move is misguided, stating that it will lead to preventable deaths.

The Somerset West Community Health Centre, one of ten sites in Ontario to close since August, was a bustling hub that reversed a staggering 487 overdoses in 2024 alone. Its closure in late March was due to the provincial policy that bans supervised consumption sites within 200 meters of schools or childcare facilities. The HART hub model, implemented at the closed centre the following day, offers showers, meals, and health-boosting activities but no longer provides harm reduction tools like supervised consumption, safer supply, and needle exchange.

Industry experts are voicing concerns that this shift towards a recovery-oriented approach, while simultaneously removing harm reduction resources, will leave gaping holes in the healthcare system amid the toxic drug crisis. Boyd echoes this sentiment, stating, "We've been set up for failure. The moment you don't give people something very practical that they need in the moment, you're going to lose people."

Boyd also discussed the drastic change in the drug supply over the past decade. "It's very different now than when the sites first opened up. When we had a prescription opioid crisis, the main drug that was being used was prescribed oxycontin. Whereas now things have shifted quite drastically and very quickly to a toxic drug supply, which has significantly increased the risk of death."

The Ontario government justifies its decision, claiming it is protecting the safety of children and communities, while investing $550 million to open 28 HART hubs nationwide. However, Boyd argues that this policy shift is counterproductive, forcing those struggling with addiction to use drugs in public without supervision, increasing overdose risks, and ultimately leading to more preventable deaths.

Health Canada reports that more than 50,000 people have died from opioid overdoses in Canada between January 2016 and September 2024. Boyd fears that with the closure of sites, these numbers will continue to rise as harm reduction sites, like Somerset West, are crucial spaces for individuals surviving the toxic drug crisis, keeping people alive as long as possible.

  1. Harm reduction advocates in Ottawa are critically opposing the Ontario government's plan to transform safe consumption sites into Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs.
  2. Rob Boyd, the CEO of Ottawa Inner City Health, argues that this move is ill-advised as it will result in preventable deaths.
  3. The closure of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, a hub that reversed 487 overdoses in 2024, was due to a provincial policy that prohibits supervised consumption sites within 200 meters of schools or childcare facilities.
  4. The HART hub model, implemented at the closed centre, offers amenities like showers, meals, and health-boosting activities, but no longer provides harm reduction tools.
  5. Experts in the industry are apprehensive that this shift towards a recovery-oriented approach, coupled with the removal of harm reduction resources, will create voids in the healthcare system amid the toxic drug crisis.
  6. Boyd expresses his belief that the policy change sets them up for failure, as people will lose access to vital resources when they need them the most.
  7. Boyd points out that the drug supply has drastically changed over the past decade, with the toxic drug supply posing a significantly increased risk of death.
  8. The Ontario government claims its decision is for the safety of children and communities, and it's dedicating $550 million to open 28 HART hubs nationwide.
  9. Boyd counters that the policy shift is detrimental, driving people to use drugs in public without supervision, increasing overdose risks, and leading to more preventable deaths.
  10. Canada has experienced over 50,000 opioid overdose deaths between January 2016 and September 2024, according to Health Canada.
  11. Boyd anticipates that with the closure of harm reduction sites like Somerset West, these numbers will continue to rise.
  12. Safe consumption sites are essential spaces for individuals navigating the toxic drug crisis, buying them time and keeping them alive as long as possible.
  13. In the past, the main drug used was prescribed oxycontin during a prescription opioid crisis, but now, the drug supply has greatly changed and evolved.
  14. The Ontario government's justification for its decision is to ensure the safety of children and communities, while investing in HART hubs.
  15. Adequate policies and legislation are essential to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis and help keep people safe.
  16. The closure of ten sites in Ontario since August has left a considerable gap in healthcare services.
  17. boyd emphasizes the importance of providing practical resources for individuals struggling with addiction to ensure their continued survival.
  18. The HART hub model offers resources for recovery, but it falls short of addressing immediate harm reduction needs.
  19. In the field of medicine, counterproductive policies can lead to deskilling, or a lack of skills to appropriately handle certain situations due to the absence of required resources and training.
  20. Chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, eye health problems, hearing disorders, cardiovascular health concerns, and autoimmune disorders require ongoing medical attention and care.
  21. Mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and neurological disorders, necessitate appropriate therapies, treatments, and support from healthcare providers.
  22. Skin conditions, such as migraines, acne, and psoriasis, require effective skin-care approaches and potential supplements for improvement.
  23. Workplace wellness programs should prioritize addressing mental health, chronic diseases, and health-and-wellness issues to promote a healthier work environment.
  24. The government should prioritize evidence-based policies and measures in all areas, including health, crime, labor, AI, space, politics, general news, and even the regulation of CBD and other related industries, to promote the well-being of Canadians and minimize harm.
Provincial decision to shut down numerous harm reduction safe injection facilities and replace them with HART hubs questioned as incorrect by expert.

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