Ontario’s Ministry of Health has announced that the supervised drug consumption site in Kingston has officially transitioned to a HART Hub, marking a new chapter for these provincially funded sites.
The province shared in April that it was “ending funding for the last remaining provincially funded drug injection site,” and that it would close on Sept. 30.
The new HART Hub is located at 661 Montreal St., which was previously home to Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub. According to the ministry, the HART Hub provides mental health and addictions support, primary care, supportive housing, and employment services.
“This approach responds directly to local public safety concerns associated with drug injection sites by providing real, long-term support to vulnerable residents while protecting local parks, community areas and other public spaces,” the ministry said Friday in a news release.
HART Hubs do not offer safer supply, supervised drug consumption or needle exchange programs. Some may have needle returns available.
The closure will significantly affect clients, staff, and the community, according to the organization running the site at that time. It had been operational at this location since 2020.
Each HART Hub may adopt a different strategy tailored to meet local needs. The ministry noted that the Kingston hub features more than 50 transitional and supportive housing units, showers, various programs, and referrals to other services.
Collaborators include the city along with its police service, the local health unit and hospital, United Way, as well as The Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest.
Other HART Hubs across eastern Ontario can be found in Belleville, Brockville, Pembroke, Smiths Falls and two locations in Ottawa. Currently there are 29 hubs throughout the province.
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