Health groups call on Ontario to rethink position on overdose prevention sites
TORONTO — More than 100 health groups urged Doug Ford and Ontario’s health minister on Thursday to reconsider the province’s position on overdose prevention sites, saying a government decision to halt the opening of new facilities was putting lives at risk.
In an open letter, the groups said a recently announced provincial review of the sites was “unnecessary” and a moratorium on opening such facilities was troubling.
“All the available evidence, including substantial peer-reviewed scientific literature, demonstrates conclusively that these health services save lives and promote the health of people who use drugs,” the organizations wrote.
“Delays mean more preventable overdose deaths and new infections of HIV, hepatitis C and other illnesses that could be averted.”