Street Health OPS

a safe, friendly, and judgement-free space to use drugs since 2018.

[Bill Sinclair @BillTNGCS]

Proud @tngcommunityTO is in good company with court submissions from Toronto Board of Health, two former Mayors, and @StreetHealthOPS and @PQWCHC and more! People of good conscience speaking up.

[Not One Seat @notoneseat]

If you can afford it, why not donate your $200 to @StreetHealthOPS and help Ontario more than Doug has?

OR

Donate to the candidate in your riding most likely to defeat the PCs

Sign the pledge
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#ONPoli #TOpoli #NotOneSeat #VoteFordOut

[Diana Chan McNally @DianaCMcNally]

ICYMI, @TOPublicHealth released preliminary data on homeless deaths in Toronto. Unfortunately, it paints a particularly violent picture for homeless women, who are dying younger than ever before — age 36 on average, and overwhelmingly from toxic drugs and increasingly outdoors.

[National Safer Supply Community of Practice @NSS_CoP]

What will it mean if 6 SCS/CTS sites close in Toronto? 636 people will lose access to services each month. Read more here.

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

@brookey_s @LeaGrie @GillianKolla https://t.co/kH1kG2V3oY

Here you go. >200 people every night who want a bed and are unable to find one.

[ODPRN @ODPRN_Research]

On #WorldHomelessDay, we recognize the health disparities faced by people experiencing homelessness, who are disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis. Our report found opioid-related deaths in Ontario shelters nearly quadrupled between 2018-2022 #WHD @HomelessDay
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[tracey helton mitchell MPA 🏹 @traceyh415]

My ex contracted HIV by using a syringe he found on the street. Cutting off harm reduction supplies doesn’t stop drug use. It just makes it less safe. I personally used the same syringe for a year because I had no access. It was barbed and I shared it with three other ppl.

[Mike Crawley @MikeCrawleyCBC]

SCOOP: The Ford government’s decision to shut down 10 supervised drug consumption sites goes against the advice of the province’s own experts.
Reviews recommended increasing funding for sites, not closing any. #onpoli https://t.co/Tgj9jRfDtI

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

Street Health's joint statement on Supervised Consumption Site closures can be found here: https://t.co/6ia1fGsG3E (11)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

We will be doing everything possible to continue meeting community needs with this lifesaving service. Street Health remains committed to compassionate, evidence-based care for people who use drugs.(10)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

Those of you who have visited Street Health’s OPS know that it is a small, community welcoming space. Based on the numbers served at the sites being closed, we know that the times ahead are going to be a challenge. (9)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

The government’s announcement also does not change the challenges our clients face: the severe lack of affordable housing, the escalating cost of basic necessities and stigma from mental health challenges and substance use. (8)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

While more treatment capacity is certainly needed, it will not replace the urgent need to reverse overdoses. We are deeply concerned about the people who will overdose in washrooms, alleys, and parks due to the cuts to Supervised Consumption Sites. (7)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

One person dies of an opioid overdose in Ontario every 3 hours due primarily to the unprecedented toxicity of the drug supply. For years we have advocated for a multipronged approach that includes harm reduction services and treatment to stop these deaths. (6)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

This announcement will result in half the Supervised Consumption Sites in the City of Toronto closing. (5)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

SCS play a key role in connecting clients with health and social services in addition to providing an alternative to public spaces for people to consume substances and lifesaving care in case of overdose. Since opening, TO sites hosted 156,227 visits and reversed 4,063 ODs. (4)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

Closures, however, will have a huge impact on downtown community members, especially those who are homeless. The announcement prohibits the opening of any new lifesaving CTS in the province and fell short on stating how the ongoing toxic drug supply issue will be addressed. (3)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

This announcement does not include Street Health’s Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) which is licensed through the federal government and has not received provincial funding since 2019. (2)

[Street Health OPS @StreetHealthOPS]

Yesterday the Ontario Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, announced the closing of 10 Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS) across ON which are located within 200 metres of schools and childcare centres. (1)