Toronto/CMEDIA: Being committed to protecting the safety of children and families and improving access to recovery and treatment services, the Ontario government reportedly approves Nine Drug Injection Sites’ transition into Treatment Hubs.
Located within 200 metres of schools and licensed child-care centres into Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph and Thunder Bay are part of the province’s $378 million investment to support the creation of a total of 19 new HART Hubs across the province.
Responding to serious safety concerns raised by communities, families and parents, Ontario is taking the next step to create a system of care that prioritizes community safety, treatment and recovery.
“We have heard…families across Ontario that drug injection sites near schools and child-care centres are making our communities less safe…these nine new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs…taking the next step in our plan to keep communities safe while improving access to mental health and addictions services.” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
With these goals in mind, the province passed the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act and the Community Care and Recovery Act to prohibit the operation of drug injection sites within 200 metres of a school or child-care centre.
Each provincially funded site was given the opportunity to submit a proposal to transition to a HART Hub and all nine applications have now been approved.
With eligibility, on average, to receive up to four times more funding, the nine approved drug injection sites will be transitioned to HART Hubs by March 31, 2025 — with the goal of being operational by April 1, 2025, to support treatment and recovery.
“We are investing…to create a nation-leading system of mental health and addictions care…new HART Hubs will…support and treatment services they need to achieve lasting recovery.” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
To assist with transitioning, the sites will also receive one time funding for start up costs.
Similar to existing hub models in Ontario that have successfully provided people with care, HART Hubs will reflect regional priorities by connecting people with complex needs to comprehensive treatment and preventative services.
A range of services, including, meeting local needs such as primary care, mental health services including addiction care and support, social services and employment support.
In addition to addiction recovery and treatment beds helping thousands of people each year transition to more stable long-term housing, these HART Hubs will also add an estimated 375 highly supportive housing units,
Applications for the remaining HART Hubs are under review and will be announced in the coming weeks.
