Street Health Centre Approved as Consumption and Treatment Services Site

Published on: 2019/04/04 - in News

The Ontario government reports it has approved 15 Consumption and Treatment Services sites in communities with high need, including the Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), as part of its plan to increase mental health and addiction services and supports.

“Our government takes the opioids crisis very seriously,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a release. “That’s why we’ve created a new Consumption and Treatment Services model that will continue to save lives by preventing overdoses and connecting people to primary care, treatment, rehabilitation, and other health and social services to ensure those struggling with drug addiction get the help they need.”

The KCHC’s Street Health Centre on Barrack Street is one of the sites to receive support and the government says it will continue to accept applications from other interested organizations across the province.

The selected Consumption and Treatment Services sites were reviewed against the program criteria, which includes:

  • Addressing local needs
  • Offering integrated wrap-around health and social services
  • Providing evidence of community support and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing community engagement
  • Considering proximity to other Consumption and Treatment Services as well as licensed child care centres, parks and schools
  • Meeting accessibility criteria and laws

“This announcement is part of our commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to finally develop and implement a comprehensive, connected and integrated mental health and addictions treatment strategy, centred around patients, family and caregivers,” said Elliott. “We will continue to make mental health and addictions a priority and work toward creating an Ontario where everyone is fully supported in their journey toward mental wellness.”

According to the KCHC website:

The Street Health Centre is a 365 days a year harm reduction health centre. We specialize in providing accessible, responsive, health services to communities that are marginalized from mainstream healthcare services. Street Health began as a needle exchange program in 1992 and has since evolved into a one stop shopping model, providing multiple health, disease prevention, primary care, and treatment services.

Visit the Ontario government website to see a list of all the Consumption and Treatment Services sites receiving support and to read the full release: ‘Ontario Continuing to Build a Connected Mental Health and Addictions Treatment System’.

Visit the Ontario government website to see a list of all Consumption and Treatment Services sites to receive support and to read the full release: ‘Ontario Continuing to Build a Connected Mental Health and Addictions Treatment System‘.


Photo: William Rafti (cc)