The Ontario government has announced that it will prohibit drug consumption sites from operating within 200 meters of schools and child-care centers.
According to Jones, the decision was influenced by concerns raised by parents regarding the proximity of these sites to areas where children play.
“Some parents no longer feel comfortable sending their children to the local elementary school or have pulled them out of their local daycare,” she stated. “Businesses and communities are concerned about disruptive behavior that increases crime around drug consumption sites, impacting their communities.”
Jones also mentioned that the government plans to implement additional measures for the remaining sites, focusing on enhancing public safety, discouraging loitering, improving community engagement, and conflict de-escalation.
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“Simultaneously, we will implement new measures that will prevent any new [Consumption and Treatment Services] site from opening or participating in federal ‘safer supply’ initiatives,” Jones added.
Addiction Treatment Hubs
Jones also revealed that the province is investing $378 million to establish 19 new homeless and addiction recovery treatment hubs, known as HART hubs.
“We must do more to facilitate the journey into treatment and recovery, to ensure community safety, and to address the devastating impact of substance abuse, drug overdoses, and opioid-related deaths in our communities,” she emphasized.
These HART hubs are designed based on a recovery-focused model, as highlighted in Jones’ speech to the AMO.
“Drawing from the experiences of pioneers like the City of London, these hubs offer a comprehensive and coordinated approach to treatment, incorporating primary care, integrated mental health and addictions care, social services, employment support, increased availability of shelter beds and supportive housing, as well as other provisions and services like Naloxone on site, showers, and meals,” Jones elaborated.
She clarified that the centers will not provide drug consumption or needle exchange programs.
Furthermore, Jones mentioned that the nine drug consumption sites slated for closure within 200 meters of a school or child-care center will have the opportunity to transition into a HART hub instead.
