Ontario’s decision to defund supervised consumption services risks lives and undermines a comprehensive response to the toxic drug crisis
The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is expressing serious concern regarding the Government of Ontario’s decision to withdraw funding from seven supervised consumption services (SCS) sites across the province. While CPHA welcomes continued investments in Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, the removal of SCS capacity weakens the continuum of evidence-based interventions needed to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis.
Supervised consumption services are a well-established public health intervention that prevent overdose deaths, reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, and connect people who use drugs with health and social services, including treatment and recovery supports. Evidence from across Canada and internationally demonstrates that these services save lives and improve community safety.
“The toxic drug crisis continues to claim lives at an alarming rate,” said Ian Culbert, Executive Director of CPHA. “At a time when we should be expanding access to the full range of evidence-based interventions, Ontario’s decision to close supervised consumption services creates unnecessary risk for people who use drugs and for the communities in which they live.”
CPHA recognizes the Province’s investment in HART Hubs as a positive step toward improving access to treatment, primary care, and social supports. These services are an essential component of a comprehensive response. However, treatment and recovery services alone are not sufficient. A public health approach requires a full continuum of interventions — including harm reduction, treatment, and prevention — tailored to meet people where they are.
Eliminating supervised consumption services will likely result in increased public drug use, higher rates of overdose deaths, and greater strain on emergency health services. It may also further marginalize people who face structural disadvantage, reducing their access to care and increasing the risks they face.
“Framing this decision as a matter of public safety overlooks the evidence,” Culbert added. “Supervised consumption services contribute to safer communities by reducing public drug use and discarded equipment, while connecting individuals to care. Removing them does not eliminate substance use — it simply makes it more dangerous.”
CPHA urges the Government of Ontario to reconsider its decision and to work with public health experts, people with lived and living experience, and community partners to ensure that policies reflect the best available evidence. Addressing the toxic drug crisis requires coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-informed action across the full spectrum of care.
A sustained and effective response must include:
- Continued funding and expansion of supervised consumption services;
- Investment in accessible, evidence-based treatment and recovery supports, including HART Hubs;
- Access to a safer supply of substances to reduce reliance on a toxic, unregulated drug market;
- Broader social supports, including housing and income security.
“Lives depend on getting this right,” said Culbert. “We have the evidence. We need the political will to act on it.”
Additional Resource:
Canadian Public Health Association. (2025). Public health approaches to the toxic drug crisis: Position statement. https://www.cpha.ca/toxic-drug-crisis