Questions remain regarding Kingston’s safe injection site at the ICH

[ad_1] This section is PresentedThis section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. by HAVEN HOME HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING “We are currently waiting for details from the Ministry of Health on what this decision means for KCHC, as our CTS site is a cornerstone to the Integrated Care Hub in Kingston, yet Kingston is not currently funded for a HART Hub in the community,” read a news release from the directors and senior leadership team at KCHC.Published Mar 18, 2026 • Last updated Mar 19, 2026 • 3 minute readStaff at Kingston's Integrated Care Hub on Montreal Street are unsure what the fate of its safe injection site will be after the Ontario government announced last week that it was defunding seven sites elsewhere in the province. Photo by Photo by Elliot Ferguson /Photo by Elliot FergusonArticle contentFollowing the Ontario government’s announcement that it would be halting funding for safe injection sites throughout the province, questions remain about what that will mean for Kingston.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSSubscribe now to read the latest news in your community.Unlimited online access to all articles on thewhig.com.Access to subscriber-only content, including History: As We Saw It, a weekly newsletter that rips history from our archives, which span almost 190 years.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your community.Unlimited online access to all articles on thewhig.com.Access to subscriber-only content, including History: As We Saw It, a weekly newsletter that rips history from our archives, which span almost 190 years.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.Create an account or sign in to keep reading.Access more articles from thewhig.com..Get email updates from your favourite journalists...Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsorArticle contentIn Friday’s announcement, there was no mention of Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub. Instead, it stated that the province was ending funding for seven active drug injection sites that exist in communities that are supported by an existing Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub.Those sites included two in Toronto, two in Ottawa and one in each of Niagara, Peterborough, and London.The province said the move was directed at local concerns over public safety, and the government’s plan to fund treatment and recovery, instead of publicly funding drug injection sites.Read More Kingston's Integrated Care Hub issue 'complex,' health professionals agree Kingston council ties Integrated Care Hub funding to safety plan, community input “Our government is focused on treatment, recovery, and safer communities,” stated Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health. “Through our almost $550 million investment to establish HART Hubs across the province, we are ensuring people struggling with addiction can access the care and supports they need to break the tragic cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives while protecting Ontario communities.”The Kingston Whig-Standard's Noon News RoundupYour weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of The Kingston Whig-Standard's Noon News Roundup will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentKingston’s Integrated Care Hub is not funded by HART. It is supported by Kingston Community Health Centres. In a news release Tuesday, KCHC said it was informed about the halt in funding to Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites supported by HART, but was not told what that meant for the safe injection site at the ICH.“We are currently waiting for details from the Ministry of Health on what this decision means for KCHC, as our CTS site is a cornerstone to the Integrated Care Hub in Kingston, yet Kingston is not currently funded for a HART Hub in the community,” reads a news release from the directors and senior leadership team at KCHC. “We will be working with the ministry and community partners to determine how to ensure a safe and co-ordinated approach to any potential changes here in Kingston.”As for the seven sites quoted by the province, there will be a 90-day wind down period in order to give clients time to transition.“During this period, the government will work directly with the municipalities and community partners to ensure a safe, co-ordinated wind-down of provincial funding for the drug injection sites and successful transition into the new model of recovery,” read the province’s release.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentArticle contentThe HIV Legal Network condemned the province’s decision, and called it “deadly.”“This decision to inform sites of their defunding and closure late on a Friday afternoon when the Government of Ontario thought no one was watching underscores how indefensible it is. There is near-unanimous consensus about the negative effects of SCS closures,” HIV Legal Network wrote in a news release. “In Toronto alone, overdose rates in Toronto increased by 50 per cent in January 2026 compared to January 2025 — a shocking rise that followed the closure of the majority of sites in Toronto in 2025 by the Ontario government, despite warnings from the government’s own experts that overdoses would increase.”The HIV Legal Network said it has been in touch with consumption and treatment service operators throughout Ontario, including Kingston to determine next steps.“These sites exist within our communities and make them better and safer for everyone. We will continue to support the fight to keep them open and keep our community members alive and well,” HIV Legal Network stated.mkulcharArticle contentShare this article in your social network [ad_2] Source link

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Questions remain regarding Kingston’s safe injection site at the ICH

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