CambridgeToday received the following letter to the editor from Keith Rivers, a member of Citizens for Cambridge, on Ontario’s addiction response.
The Good:
The Ontario government’s $378 million investment in HART Hubs (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs) is a commendable first step toward addressing the intertwined challenges of homelessness and addiction.
By promising to establish 19 HART Hubs across the province, Ontario can provide crucial support to those most vulnerable in our communities, and offer comprehensive services in a single, accessible location.
Seven existing CTS sites will remain, ten current CTS sites may be able to transition into HART Hubs, and nine new HART Hubs may be created. These hubs may be able to offer immediate shelter, addiction recovery services, mental health care, and long-term housing solutions.
This holistic approach recognizes that recovery requires more than just treatment; it needs stability, support, and community reintegration. The HART Hub initiative may be a forward-thinking strategy that hopefully prioritizes dignity and well-being, helping individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
While a good concept, there is much hard work needed to make this happen in a short timeline. Recognizing this is only a start, many more HART Hubs and a much larger effort will be needed to match the scope of need.
Act Now! Email your regional and Cambridge councils at [email protected] and [email protected], urging them to aggressively pursue a HART Hub location in our community. Cambridge urgently needs a HART Hub!
The Bad:
Premier Ford's plan to cut harm reduction programs in Ontario will lead to preventable deaths. Every day, 10 Ontarians die from toxic drugs, with over 3,800 lives lost in 2023 alone. Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) and safer supply programs save lives and offer a path to recovery. Forcing CTS clients back into the community and back alleys is not progress. Without these essential services, more lives will be needlessly lost.
Experts emphasize the importance of a continuum of addiction services, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, to meet varying needs. Cutting harm reduction programs will burden emergency services and lead to a surge in preventable infections.
While the investment in HART Hubs is significant, excluding harm reduction services from these hubs overlooks the severity of Ontario’s drug crisis. Harm reduction is essential healthcare and must be preserved.
Act now! Demand Premier Ford withdraw his plan to cut these life-saving programs. The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario has started a petition at regarding harm reduction services, please review the petition.
The Ugly:
Politicians without healthcare expertise have historically interfered in the system, resulting in underfunding and mismanagement. The recent suggestion for involuntary treatment, based on public polls rather than expert advice, is a prime example.
It is vital to rely on healthcare professionals and evidence-based research when addressing complex issues like addiction. Public opinion, while valuable, should not drive policies requiring specialized knowledge.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, representing all 444 Ontario communities, conducted a comprehensive study on the opioid crisis. It states that "voluntary treatment consistently outperforms involuntary treatment, which has limited benefits, high costs, and legal and ethical issues."
Involuntary treatment models risk violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and have been opposed by United Nations entities. This underscores the need for evidence-based approaches over coercive measures.
Act now! Email Mayor Liggett at [email protected] requesting her support to abandon the misguided idea of forced treatment and instead advocate for voluntary, effective, and legally sound solutions that respect individuals' rights and dignity.
Keith Rivers
Member of Citizens for Cambridge
