Ontario Converts Nine Supervised Drug-Use Sites Into Addiction Recovery Hubs

The transition aligns with new legislation banning drug-use sites near schools and daycares, sparking debate over public safety and overdose prevention.

• Nine supervised drug-use sites in Ontario, including locations in Toronto, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay, will transition into Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs by March 31, 2025.
• The new HART hubs will focus on addiction recovery, mental health services, and supportive housing but will not provide supervised drug consumption or needle exchange programs.
• The Ontario government has allocated $378 million to fund 19 HART hubs, with nine converted from existing drug-use sites and 10 additional locations still under review.
• Advocacy groups have criticized the closures, citing risks of increased overdoses and fatalities, while the government emphasizes abstinence-based recovery and community safety.
• The move follows recent legislation banning supervised drug-use sites within 200 meters of schools or child-care centers and restricting new site approvals.

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