To: Michael Tibollo – Associate Minister of Addictions and Mental Health
Approve Funding for The Spot Safe Consumption Site: Protect Sudbury or Lose Lives
In the middle of a drug poisoning epidemic, Ontario is calling on you to approve funding for Sudbury’s Supervised Consumption Site, Minoogawbi, La Place, The Spot, or else lives will be lost.
The Spot Supervised Consumption Site is essential for Sudbury, reducing overdose deaths, reducing the transmission of infectious diseases, reducing risk and connecting individuals with essential social and healthcare services.
An application was submitted to your Ministry two years ago on August 27, 2021, with no movement or response or even an update. With municipal funding being suddenly withdrawn, we will close December 31st 2023 if not sooner, unless action is taken.
We, the undersigned, urge you to approve the funding application urgently. Sudbury can’t wait anymore and lives will be lost.
Why is this important?
Sudbury is facing an overdose crisis:
Since 2018 there has been a 346% increase in opioid overdose deaths in Sudbury compared to 60% in Ontario. 112 Sudbury and Manitoulin residents died from an opioid-related overdose in 2022, that’s an average of 9 people a month.
The Spot saves lives:
In 2023, Minoogawbi, La Place, The Spot had almost 1,000 visits and reversed all 15 overdoses that happened on site, saving lives. Drug checking services for substances like fentanyl were used dozens of times in 2023 alone, preventing the risk of overdose.
But the organization is handcuffed, not able to operate a downtown location and having restrictive hours. With funding it could see upwards of 50 people a day and ultimately save more lives.
We can’t wait:
We have been waiting years and have heard nothing. Unless action is taken now, this essential organization will close its doors December 31st, 2023 or sooner.
Sign the petition to save the Spot and save lives… before it’s too late.