Help support a consumption and treatment services site in Barrie

Jul 17, 2023

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch, (CMHA SCB) has applied to secure provincial approval and funding to implement a consumption and treatment service site (CTS) in Barrie. This important health service is crucial to help address the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis affecting our community.

The proposed site has been approved by the city council and Health Canada and will provide those in need with a safe, hygienic location to use illicit substances with the supervision of trained staff to reduce the risk of overdoses and infections. The site also offers people using drugs access to other health and social services like mental health support, addiction treatment, primary care, and housing.

Although the Health Canada exemption is a critical step in establishing a CTS in Barrie, CMHA SCB continues to await approval and funding from the Ministry of Health on an application submitted to the province in October 2021. Meanwhile, deaths due to opioid poisoning in the City of Barrie remain double the provincial average, with 60 deaths in Barrie in 2022. There were 1,499 emergency department visits related to opioid poisoning in Barrie between 2018-2022.

Help us bring this crucial health service to Barrie. Contact your local MPP and let them know that you support the creation of a CTS in our community to reduce harm and save lives. For more information on CTS, including the local application history and community consultations involved in the process, visit www.smdhu.org/CT