TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs are currently prohibited from providing evidence-based harm reduction services as part of their programming, including needle and syringe programs (NSP); and
WHEREAS needle and syringe programs are evidence-based public health interventions proven to reduce the transmission of blood-borne infections including Hepatitis C and HIV; and
WHEREAS the efficacy of needle and syringe programs has been studied for nearly 30 years and is endorsed by the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS rates of injection-related infections have been increasing over the past several years across Ontario, associated with high rates of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality; and
WHEREAS Ontario continues to bear the devastating burden of an escalating overdose crisis, with too many lives lost to a toxic drug supply and ineffective drug policies;
THEREFORE we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:
Immediately allow HART Hubs to provide evidence-based harm reduction services, including needle and syringe programs, as part of a comprehensive approach to substance use programming.
Download and print the petition HERE and send completed petitions to: MPP Chris Glover, Unit A-226 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5T 2R9