SUDBURY – Local organizations in Sudbury that provide direct support services for people with substance use disorder, and Sudbury’s Member of Parliament, Viviane Lapointe, are raising the alarm on Pierre Poilievre’s recent announcement about his plans to close safe consumption sites across the country.

Réseau ACCESS Network, The Go-Give Project, and MP Lapointe say that the deep polarization and misinformation that is now permeating the debate in Canada regarding the opioid and toxic drug crisis is hurting families and those living with addictions. Marginalizing vulnerable people and using inflammatory language like “drug dens” helps no one, they observe.

“We know that 75% of those who lost their lives to the toxic drug and overdose crisis were men,” says Lapointe. “The stigma they face is great, as men are less likely to talk about their mental health or substance use challenges for fear of being judged or penalized. Pierre Poilievre and his CPC party are adding to that stigma with the harmful language and proposed policies they are putting out there.”

Earlier this year, MP Lapointe participated in the Standing Committee for Health’s study on the Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis in Canada. The Committee heard from experts in the field. The overwhelming consensus from 55 expert witnesses is that a multi-pronged approach is critical in addressing the epidemic and that safe consumption sites play a key role.

The closure of safe consumption sites will have wide-spread negative impacts on communities, particularly here in Sudbury. Safe consumption sites play a crucial role in reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and connecting individuals with treatment, healthcare, and social services.

“Over 20 years ago, Vancouver opened the first supervised injection site to combat the overdose crisis. These places are sanctuaries where trained staff prevent fatalities and offer a path to recovery,” said Evie Ali, Executive Director, The Go-Give Project. “This week alone, we lost 2 lives in our immediate community, for all we know there were many more. These lives lost, among so many others, were meaningful, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. They were brothers, sisters, and friends. They were loved ones. Closing these sites won't solve the problem; it will only push it back into the shadows, endangering more lives, especially in vulnerable and marginalized communities. We need compassion and evidence-based solutions, not fear-mongering and neglect.”

In Sudbury, the need for such sites has been incredibly evident. The community has faced significant challenges with opioid and toxic drug use and related health crises. The safe consumption site in Sudbury was a lifeline for many, providing critical services that have saved lives and offered hope to those in need. Closures such as the one in Sudbury erodes the progress made in addressing substance use and supporting those on the path to recovery.

“The evidence is clear: supervised consumption sites save lives and improve community health. At Réseau ACCESS Network, we've seen first-hand how these services reduce overdose deaths, prevent the spread of blood born infections, and connect vulnerable individuals to vital wrap around supports, health and social services,” stated Heidi Eisenhauer, Executive Director, Réseau ACCESS Network. “Closing these sites, as some politicians propose, would be a devastating step backward in combating the toxic drug crisis. We urge policymakers to look beyond inflammatory rhetoric and consider the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting supervised consumption sites. These facilities are not just about harm reduction; they're about showing compassion, preserving human dignity, and offering hope to those struggling with substance use challenges. Let's choose evidence-based solutions over alarmist tactics and work together to build healthier, safer communities for all.”