Visits up at Toronto’s remaining consumption sites, 2 months after province forced 4 to close
Toronto’s remaining supervised consumption sites have reported an increase in visitors in the two months since the province forced four sites to close. This change in the city’s drug use landscape comes as Ontario continues to shift towards an abstinence-based treatment model.
Bill Sinclair, CEO of the Neighbourhood Group, which operates the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site, stated that they have seen a 30 per cent uptick in visitors since April 1. This increase in traffic is attributed to the closure of nine supervised drug consumption sites, four of which were located in Toronto, due to provincial legislation prohibiting sites from operating within 200 meters of a school or daycare.
Sinclair noted that people’s behavior around drug use is changing, with a trend towards smoking rather than injecting drugs. This shift is driven by the perception that smoking is safer, as individuals try to anticipate what a world without supervised consumption sites might look like.
Fred Victor charity, operating a site at Queen Street E. and Jarvis Street, has also seen a rise in weekly visits ranging from 15 to 35 per cent. CEO Keith Hambly mentioned that the increase in users could continue into the summer months, as some individuals prefer using drugs outdoors in warmer weather.
Casey House, a supervised consumption site for registered clients only, has experienced a 25 per cent increase in usage, prompting the extension of operating hours. Street Health on Dundas Street E. reported an 82 per cent increase in visits year-over-year in April and a 53 per cent increase in May, necessitating additional staff scheduling.
However, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre has not observed a significant increase in clientele post-closure, raising concerns about the well-being of drug users who are no longer accessing consumption sites. Executive director Angela Robertson expressed worry about individuals who previously utilized the Kensington site and are now unaccounted for.
On the other hand, residents and businesses near the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, which closed its supervised consumption site, have noticed a significant decrease in drug-related activities in the area. Derek Finkle, a vocal opponent of the site, mentioned that drug deals and open drug use have “virtually disappeared” since the site shut down.
As the city’s drug users adapt to the closure of consumption sites, questions remain about how the new services available will impact drug use and overdose numbers. Of the 10 sites mandated to close, nine transitioned into Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs (HART hubs) with provincial funding, while the Kensington Market site continues to operate through legal challenges and fundraising efforts.
While the HART hubs are operational, some services are still in the process of being fully implemented. Data indicates a decline in overdoses in Toronto and Ontario, with fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose calls decreasing in 2025 compared to previous years.
Overall, the closure of supervised consumption sites has led to changes in drug use patterns in Toronto, prompting concerns about the welfare of individuals who relied on these services. As the city navigates this transition, the effectiveness of the new treatment model and its impact on drug-related harm remain to be seen.
