‘People will die’: Local experts condemn province’s drug consumption sites ban [Video]

Local drug strategy experts are raising red flags about the province’s forced closure of two drug consumption sites in Kitchener and Guelph.

On Tuesday, the Ford government announced a ban on consumption treatment services (CTS) within 200 metres of schools and child care centres.

Both the Kitchener CTS site at 150 Duke Street and Guelph Community Health Centre location at 176 Wyndham Street North are mandated to close by March 2025.

On Tuesday, Guelph mayor Cam Guthrie took to social media saying in part:

“I commend the provincial government for moving forward with a detailed plan to save lives, restore families and improve communities struggling with the stranglehold of additions.”

Michael Parkinson, a drug strategy specialist who spent years working on the front lines, said the province’s decision is a mistake.

“The premier and minister are wrong,” Parkinson told CTV News. “People will die and they will die very quickly.”

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