Community organizations are running overdose response training over the next few months in response to the looming closure of safe consumption sites across Ontario.
Guelph’s safe consumption site located in the Guelph Community Health Centre is set to close March 31, along with nine other sites across the province.
They will be replaced by HART Hubs, which aim to provide primary care and treatment for mental health, addictions, social services, employment support and more.
They won’t, however, provide safe supply, needle exchange or supervised drug consumption programs, which Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy has said will result in an increase in harm, illness and death.
In response, community organizations will lead drop-in training sessions during the day and evenings until June 2025.
“The drug supply continues to be unpredictable and toxic,” said WGDS manager Jean Hopkins in an email.
In 2024 there were at least 40 drug poisoning deaths and 352 serious but non-fatal drug poisonings in Guelph. Meanwhile, during a December council meeting GCHC CEO Melissa Kwiatkowski said since opening in 2018, the site has seen over 41,000 visits and nearly 1,000 referrals made to addiction treatment and primary care.
In addition, at least 311 overdoses have been reversed, with only 12 requiring a hospital transfer.
“With the closing of a life saving service in downtown Guelph, the training (sessions) provide information to community members about transitions in substance use services, an opportunity to ask questions and learn skills related to overdose response, including administering naloxone.”
In that time, 311 overdoses had been reversed, with only 12 requiring a hospital transfer.
The first training session is being held Wednesday Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Guelph Public Library on Norfolk Street. Organized by Welcoming Streets, it will focus on de-escalation, anti-stigma and naloxone training.
Those interested can call 519-838-6737 or email [email protected] to sign up.
The next two scheduled sessions are organized by Sanguen Community Health and WGDS, and will take place Feb. 25 and March 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Art Not Shame on 119 Wyndham St.
These sessions will include information on substance use and toxicity in Guelph, programs that offer support in the community and how to respond to a substance-related emergency. Attendees will receive a free naloxone kit.
They will take place monthly on the last Tuesday of the month until June.
For more information email [email protected].