Community rallies behind Kensington Market drug consumption site
CBC
Community members and staff from a supervised consumption site in Kensington Market rallied Friday against a provincial ban set to close it by next spring — but some locals say the site has made them feel unsafe.
Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site (KMOPS) is among five consumption sites in Toronto that will close after the province announced a ban last month on such facilities within 200 metres of schools and child-care centres.
KMOPS, which is self-funded, opened in 2019, according to its website.
"This consumption site keeps the community safer," said Jessica Bell, MPP for University—Rosedale, who attended the rally. "It reduces the number of people who are dying in our neighbourhood."
Overdose prevention sites are designated spaces where people can use illicit drugs under the safety and support of trained personnel.
The provincial ban was slammed by some harm-reduction experts, who said it could result in more drug overdose deaths.
This year alone, KMOPS has reversed overdoses for 50 people, said Bill Sinclair, CEO of The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, which houses the site.
"We worry that when we're not here, what happens to those 50 people? … Where will they go and will they survive?" he said.
In total, 10 sites in Ontario will close by March 31, 2025. The government is instead spending $378 million on 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs.
But front-line workers say supervised consumption services are also needed to keep people alive while using.
Local resident Robyn Armstrong, who attended Friday's rally, said KMOPS is extremely important for the community. She said the site doesn't make her concerned for her son's safety.
"Everybody that lives and works in this area, we all support each other," she said.
Rebecca Osolen, who is also a parent, said she welcomes the site as important healthcare.
"Safe sites reduce public drug use and save the lives of vulnerable people," she said.
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