Aid organizations in northeastern Ontario are responding to federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s comments about supervised intake sites.
At a news conference in Montreal last week, Poilievre called the sites “drug dens” and said that if he were elected as Canada’s next prime minister, his government would use “a single penny of taxpayer money” to fund them.
“I’m going to close them. We will close injection sites next to schools, playgrounds and any place where they endanger the public and take lives,” he said.
Heidi Eisenhauer, executive director of Sudbury Network Access Network, said she was shaken by his comments.
“I’m very moved,” Eisenhauer said.
“When stigmatizing language is used in public, the public’s belief about the complexity of substance use is impaired. “
Reseau Access Network operated the Sudbury site, called “The Spot. “It closed its doors in April after waiting two years to hear from the province regarding funding. She herself was able to thank the City of Greater Sudbury for the monetary help and donors.
Eisenhauer said many studies have been done across the country on the effectiveness of the sites.
“A lot of studies have been done across Canada. They prevent deaths and incidents of HIV and hepatitis C; they save taxpayers money,” he said.
At a press conference held in Montreal last week, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called the sites “drug dens” and said that if he were elected Canada’s next prime minister, his government would use “drug dens. “a single penny of taxpayer money” to fund them. (Deposit)
Eisenhauer added that opening admissions sites is a “rigorous process” and a decision taken lightly.
“We want to go through rogue investigations of the network before we open,” he said.
“And we know they are not near a daycare, school or places where children play, because there are regulations to keep network members safe. “
With the closure of SACY, Eisenhauer said that everything had been affected.
“The closure of SACY’s harm relief facilities has led to an increase in the number of youth on the streets who find themselves homeless and without the opportunity for others to pass through to use ingredients,” he said.
In a statement to CTV News, Sudbury MLA Jamie West condemned Poilievre’s comments.
“Comments like that are rooted in science, truth or empathy, but also misinformation,” West said.
“We have lost thousands of people to the poison drug crisis. Politicians and those seeking to gain strength are offering solutions, not the stigma and disgrace that make life worse for those who are already suffering. “
The Timmins closed last month after the province also didn’t hear about funding. The Cochrane Timiskaming branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association has taken over to offer services temporarily.
While no one could be reached for an interview, a spokesperson spoke of the site’s success in a statement.
“By implementing similar controlled consumption, the opioid-related mortality rate in the Timmins area has been reduced from 80. 2 to less than 60 per 100,000 between 2020 and 2024, one of the largest reductions in the province.
Eisenhauer said Network has yet to hear from the province. He said Peterborough is the only one that has gotten provincial funding.
“It’s the only site that has gained investment since the Ford government came into effect and that’s because it had treatment facilities within its walls,” he explained.
“So we’re looking for that style and we’ll reapply for services. “
Meanwhile, Eisenhauer said a study will be published later this year to analyze the effect of an SCS closure on the community.
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