Safe consumption sites in Timmins, Sudbury looking for stop-gap measures to stay open

Timmins safe consumption site also gets a reprieve The future of two northern Ont. safe consumption sites is uncertain with current funding running out & no permanent funding approved.

Those who operate safe consumption sites are looking for ways to keep them open – at least temporarily.

The province paused funding applications this fall while it reviews the 17 facilities across Ontario.

Without funding, the sites are in limbo and some in northern Ontario are receiving some stop-gap funding.

SHST The safe consumption site in Timmins gets three month temporary extension to stay open after hospital comes forward with funding. (File Photo/Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The safe consumption site in Timmins will remain operational for at least another three months. It is a temporary measure that site officials hope will help prevent additional overdose deaths.

Municipal funding for Safe Health Site Timmins (SHST) was due to run out Dec. 31, meaning it would have had to close its doors – but the Timmins and District Hospital stepped in to keep it open for three more months.

In an email to CTV News, a hospital spokesperson said:

“This measure, while temporary, underscores Timmins and District Hospital’s dedication to community health and the urgent need for sustainable provincial support of this life-saving service in Timmins and across northern Ontario.”

The hospital said it is a stop-gap measure until permanent funding returns.

SHST has submitted an interim funding proposal to the province to sustain operations but is awaiting a response.

The safe consumption site in Sudbury is facing similar uncertainty.

Sudbury's supervised drug consumption site While provincial funding applications have been paused, the supervised consumption site in Greater Sudbury will remain open thanks to some emergency funding from mining giant Vale. (File photo/Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)

‘The Spot’ as its nicknamed is able to operate until the end of January due to a recent donation from mining giant Vale – but beyond that, its future remains unknown.

Officials at both safe consumption sites told CTV News that their harm reduction work is vital to keeping people alive.

Both communities are among the top five with the highest opioid mortality rates in the province.