Province should 'reverse freeze' on overdose prevention sites: YWCA Canada

YWCA Canada is asking the province to end the moratorium onoverdose prevention sites and says the "freeze" is negatively impacting Waterloo region.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announced last month that the province is reviewing evidence on the sites to see if they have merit and are worth continuing.

At a regional council meeting on Aug. 23, councillorsofficially voted to hit the pause button on setting up supervised consumption sites in Kitchener and Cambridge until the provincial review is complete.

"Just because someone is living with an addiction, doesn't mean that they don't deserve treatment to services," said Maya Roy, the CEO of YWCA Canada.

"My colleagues in Waterloo have been really active, they've seen the impacts every single day," Roy said.

Elizabeth Clarke is the CEO of YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo. In the letter, she wrote that the decision not to open any new overdose prevention sites directly impacts the women and families they serve.

"It's heartbreaking to see," Clarke wrote in the letter.

Evidence-based review underway

The organization has not yet received a response from the provincial government.

"We want to see a response fromthe governmentaround giving the regional government some clarity so they can go on and do the work they need to do," she said.

HayleyChazan, Elliot's press secretary, said the health minister expects the review "toconclude in short order and will be making a recommendation on how to proceed."

Chazan said in the coming weeks, Elliot will be "undertaking an evidence-based review, listening to experts, community leadersand community members to ensure that any continuation of drug injection sites introduce people into rehabilitation, and ensure people struggling with addiction get the help they need."

"That's why the ministry has indicated that no new sites should open to the public at this time," Chazan said.

Roy said the freeze isstill "unfortunate."

"The local government is trying to respond to community needs and the province is not letting community leaders andlocal policy makers be responsiveto what they're seeing on the ground," she said.