We are deeply disappointed with the recent public discussion that is putting personal opinion ahead of evidence-based practice. Guelph’s Consumption & Treatment Services (CTS) site is a life-saving, evidence-based health care service that is located downtown because people need to access it to stay alive. 

In 2023, at least 62 families lost loved ones to substance-related fatalities – the highest number ever recorded in Guelph and Wellington. People are grieving. 

Guelph is not immune to this nationwide, complex public health crisis, one that cannot be blamed on a single health service. Taking a piecemeal approach of relocating a lifesaving CTS or the equity-deserving community members who access it due to ‘behavioural issues’ will not solve this complex issue. We need a bold and comprehensive system plan to address the health and housing needs of the community. This will require collaborative system leadership. We have been and will continue to lead this work in our community, alongside our partners.

-Melissa Kwiatkowski, Guelph Community Health Centre

Here is just some of the evidence supporting the public health and safety of supervised consumption sites.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00300-6/fulltext

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28875422/ 

https://www.ohtn.on.ca/rapid-response-83-supervised-injection/

Contact:

Melissa Kwiatkowski, CEO, Guelph CHC 519-821-6638 ext. 308