Politicians to fight for St. Catharines’ planned overdose prevention site

Federal politicians aren’t willing to let a planned overdose prevention site in St. Catharines die without a fight.

Provincial Health Minister Christine Elliott has put all overdose prevention sites on hold, including one that was scheduled to open in the Garden City next month at the Positive Living Niagara office on Queenston Street.

St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle, in a video posted to his Facebook page, described the action as “cold, calculated and callous.”

In a letter sent to local health integration networks and health units on Aug. 10, Elliott said the sites have been put on hold pending a review of “the evidence and speaking to experts to ensure that any continuation of supervised consumption services and overdose prevention sites are going to introduce people into rehabilitation and ensure people struggling with addiction will get the help they need.”

Bittle said he’s asked people against overdose prevention sites to provide evidence that they don’t work, but has received none.

He said there’s little he can do to reverse Elliott’s action, considering that the delivery of health care services falls to the provincial government.

But Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said he’s “absolutely” going to see what can be done on the federal level, beginning with a conversation about funding with Ottawa’s health minister.

Both Bittle and Badawey said St. Catharines is Ontario’s thirdlargest community for overdoses and overdose deaths, with 76 opioid-related overdoses in 2017.

“Deaths are resulting from the opioid crisis,” Badawey said. “We cannot simply stick our heads in the sand.”

Badawey said he’s heard mixed reactions from the community about the site cancellations, but overall one of regret. He said the province needs to be offering compassionate care and reflecting the wishes of all the constituents.

In an emailed statement, Hayley Chazen, press secretary for the minister of health said that Elliott is “undertaking an evidence-based review” and consulting with experts, community leaders and members.

“That’s why the ministry has indicated that no new sites should open to the public at this time,” Chazen said.

Bittle said he’s spoken to community services, who are afraid to speak out against the halted sites in fear of backlash from the province in the form of reduced funding.

He doesn’t know when to expect a final answer from the province regarding the future of St. Catharines’ overdose prevention site.

“Hopefully soon.”