Ontario seeks extension on overdose sites, but no change for Hamilton

The Ontario government is asking Ottawa to extend an exemption that would allow overdose prevention sites to continue operating in the province while it decides the fate of the facilities.

The province said this summer it was halting the opening of new overdose prevention sites while it conducted its review, and said it would announce its decision by the end of September.

Ontario’s health minister, Christine Elliott, said in a statement late Friday afternoon that she has received data on the sites and held consultations on the issue, and is in the process of finalizing her recommendations. She did not say when a decision would be announced or how long of an extension she sought.

Friday’s announcement doesn’t change anything for Hamilton’s temporary overdose prevention site, which has been operating since June, said Dr. Robin Lennox of the Shelter Health Network, which runs the site with Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre.

They’re awaiting the province’s final direction as their $116,300 in funding from the previous Ontario Liberal government runs out Nov. 30.

Lennox said her hope is that the extra time will produce a positive outcome for all overdose prevention sites, including the one in Hamilton.

“It would have been really nice to have that reassurance today, but I think we’re still going to have to wait,” she said.

Overdose prevention sites are approved by the province following a federal decision to grant the province an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. They are temporary facilities set up to address an immediate need in a community.

The provincial NDP released its own statement Friday evening, accusing the Ford government of “continuing to delay the opening of overdose prevention sites throughout Ontario.”

“As the Ford government dithers, lives are shattered, families are destroyed, and people die,” New Democrat mental health and addictions critic Bhutila Karpoche said in a statement.

With files from Natalie Paddon, The Hamilton Spectator