Friday November 13, 2020
With the launch of an opioid response hub in the former Greyhound bus station, organizing partners are calling on community members to invest in establishing a Consumption and Treatment Services site (CTS) by making a donation to a newly established Consumption and Treatment Services Fund. A CTS welcomes people to use their drugs safely under trained supervision and be connected to other life-saving supports.
Partners are seeking approval of Provincial funding for a CTS – but this will take many months. Help is needed to retain this ideal property and to do professional studies needed for the application.
There have been 36 suspected overdose deaths in the first nine months of 2020; there were 28 deaths in all of 2019. The Peterborough public health unit area has the third highest rate of opioid overdose deaths and emergency room visits in the province. The COVID pandemic has increased the risk of overdose as it has created more desperation, isolation, and an even more toxic drug supply.
A Safe Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) site will prevent overdose deaths and connect people who use drugs to addictions treatment, wound care, mental health services, health care, and other resources.
PARN is the lead applicant for a CTS and needs support to carry the site and prepare the application.