Don't cut funding to overdose prevention sites in Ontario!

More than 1200 people lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2017, many of them accidentally; they are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, daughters, sons, friends, grandparents, and mentors, and deserve a path to recovery. If we stop funding overdose prevention sites in Ontario, without any additional programming or funding to take their place, we become passive in the recovery of those who need us most.

There were 6,688 opioid-related emergency department visits in the province in the first nine months of 2018 and another 1,544 hospitalizations. This issue is not abating, and until we start addressing the root cause of the crisis, we should not be cutting the funding and programming that aims to support those in need.

Addiction and recovery are not individual issues but societal issues that require a broader strategy that involves on-site immediate action. As an example, The Works, run by Toronto Public Health, see's 3000 visits a month--where will they go without funding? Please, don't turn your back when they need you the most. Cutting funding to these sites will likely see a sharp rise in the number of preventable overdose deaths across Ontario, an issue we cannot afford to ignore.

If we do not start addressing the fundamental issues that cause and perpetuate the opioid crisis, it would negligible to cut funding to programs that deal with the effects. Please consider halting this funding cut until you are able to implement other programs for those who rely on the services of current overdose prevention sites.