Ontario’s Ministry of Health has shared plans to close the only supervised drug consumption site in Kingston, replacing it with a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub.
To ensure there’s no break in services, the location will reopen on October 1 as a HART Hub, providing mental health and addiction support, primary care, supportive housing, and job services, according to the ministry.
However, HART Hubs won’t provide safer supply options, supervised drug use spaces or needle exchange programs.
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Justine Mc Isaac, the consumption treatment co-ordinator at Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub noted a spike in drug poisonings in an alert shared by public health officials on March 9, 2026. (Michelle Allan / CBC)
Even though the consumption site is set to close soon, other services will still be available at that same location according to Addiction & Mental Health Services – KFLA.
The Integrated Care Hub at 661 Montreal St. will transition into a HART Hub while additional supports remain accessible during this time period.
The provincial announcement comes after nearly a month of uncertainty following a commitment by the province mid-March regarding funding cuts for seven other active drug consumption sites including two located in Ottawa.
At that time it wasn’t clear what these changes would mean for Kingston specifically.
The Health Ministry didn’t respond to multiple emails from CBC during March and April asking about what would happen next with Kingston’s drug consumption site. In its announcement made Friday, the ministry revealed intentions to double its investment into Kingston’s facility bringing its annual funding up to $6.3 million. “With this expanded funding, we have an opportunity that matters greatly towards improving access related mental health along with addiction assistance while also providing better coordinated community-based care meant especially for residents needing such help,” stated Mayor Brian Paterson through an emailed response sent out Friday. A city statement confirmed existing rest areas along with overnight shelter beds already offered at their current location are expected remain operational throughout this transition phase adding they’ll be “considered as part future planning concerning HART Hubs.” Health Minister Sylvia Jones remarked how Ontario’s government stays focused upon finding genuine solutions aimed towards breaking tragic cycles revolving around addiction.”
“The new HART Hub within Kingston connects vulnerable residents directly access vital resources necessary rebuild lives whilst safeguarding communities from harmful behaviors driven by growing presence illegal substances,” read quote included announced details released by provincial authorities.
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Closure Announcement Follows Drug Alert
The Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), which operated the consumption site at the Integrated Care Hub on Montreal Street, noted that their staff have reversed thousands of overdoses and linked “countless individuals with care” since opening in 2018. This closure will greatly affect clients, staff members, and the wider community, said KCHC. “Evidence from other jurisdictions in Ontario has shown that the loss of supervised consumption services can lead to increased overdose risk, more people using drugs alone, more calls to Emergency Medical Services, more Emergency Department visits for opioid-related toxicities, and reduced access to essential health supports,” read a statement shared by KCHC on Friday. A day before this provincial announcement was made, local public health officials issued an alert after noticing a “significant spike” in drug poisonings among individuals who thought they were using fentanyl. The health unit advised anyone planning to use drugs not to do so alone and highlighted Kingston’s supervised consumption site as a place where drug checking was available.Ministry Plans To Increase Funding To $6.3 Million
KCHC mentioned being part of a March 13 meeting where provincial funding cuts were discussed but had not received any formal communication from the ministry about their site until now. Civic leaders have been looking for ways to maintain some services while city councillors unanimously voted on March 24 to collaborate with community partners for applying for a HART Hub.The Health Ministry didn’t respond to multiple emails from CBC during March and April asking about what would happen next with Kingston’s drug consumption site. In its announcement made Friday, the ministry revealed intentions to double its investment into Kingston’s facility bringing its annual funding up to $6.3 million. “With this expanded funding, we have an opportunity that matters greatly towards improving access related mental health along with addiction assistance while also providing better coordinated community-based care meant especially for residents needing such help,” stated Mayor Brian Paterson through an emailed response sent out Friday. A city statement confirmed existing rest areas along with overnight shelter beds already offered at their current location are expected remain operational throughout this transition phase adding they’ll be “considered as part future planning concerning HART Hubs.” Health Minister Sylvia Jones remarked how Ontario’s government stays focused upon finding genuine solutions aimed towards breaking tragic cycles revolving around addiction.”
“The new HART Hub within Kingston connects vulnerable residents directly access vital resources necessary rebuild lives whilst safeguarding communities from harmful behaviors driven by growing presence illegal substances,” read quote included announced details released by provincial authorities.
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