Subtitle:
Harm reduction advocates warn of growing crisis as city grapples with site shutdowns
News Report:
A sharp rise in overdose incidents has been reported at Toronto’s drop-in centres following the closure of several supervised consumption sites, according to a network of harm reduction workers.
Community organizations and frontline staff say the closures have left vulnerable individuals without access to safe spaces for drug use, pushing them back into unsafe environments. The result: more overdoses, many requiring emergency intervention.
“We are seeing a significant increase in overdoses across multiple centres,” said one outreach coordinator. “Without supervised sites, people are using alone again—and that’s when overdoses turn deadly.”
The closures, which came after provincial reviews and funding freezes, have sparked concern among health experts and community leaders. They argue that supervised consumption sites not only reduce overdose deaths but also connect users with addiction services and healthcare.
Advocates are now calling on city and provincial officials to urgently reinstate and expand these services to prevent further loss of life. Meanwhile, staff at drop-in centres are relying on naloxone kits and peer support to respond to the surge.
With Toronto still in the grip of an opioid crisis, many fear the situation could deteriorate further without immediate government action.