The Middlesex-London Health Unit and Regional HIV/AIDS Connection received notification late Wednesday afternoon that the Federal Government had approved the applications for two permanent Consumption and Treatment Services (CTSs) in London, at 446 York Street and 241 Simcoe Street. The correspondence from Health Canada also advised officials that the temporary overdose prevention site (TOPS) at 186 King Street had been approved as an interim facility until the site at 446 York is operational. The news comes on the same day that correspondence was also received from Ontario’s Health Minister indicating that TOPS would continue to operate through the end of 2018.
Federal approval is a necessary condition for sites to be considered under Ontario’s Consumption and Treatment Services harm-reduction model, announced last week by Health Minister Christine Elliott. Officials with the Health Unit and Regional HIV/AIDS Connection are currently awaiting further details about the application process for establishing the permanent sites. Once they are established, clients at the new Consumption and Treatment Services will be able to consume pre-obtained drugs under medical supervision and be linked to additional services, including treatment programs. It is expected the province will soon release details about the process applicants will need to follow for permanent sites to be approved. In addition to provincial endorsement, the two permanent sites will also require municipal rezoning approval.
“It’s such a relief that we can continue to save lives at TOPS, link clients with treatment, and move forward with more permanent plans,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “This is great news and we look forward to working closely with the Provincial Government on this new approach to providing vital services and support to those who are struggling to overcome powerful drug addictions.”
“Lives are not only being saved through the work being done at TOPS every day, they’re also being changed for the better,” says Brian Lester, Executive Director at Regional HIV / AIDS Connection. “The interactions and relationships forged with our clients have allowed us to build a rapport with people who are often ignored. These decisions show that their lives matter.”
Since it opened in mid-February, there have been more than 8,300 visits to London’s TOPS. During that time staff have reversed 40 overdoses using naloxone and oxygen, and have referred 186 clients to addictions treatment, 144 clients to agencies providing housing support and 167 clients to additional healthcare services.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokespeople:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Brian Lester, Executive Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection