"Speak For The Dead To Protect The Living" August 28, Kitchener International Overdose Awareness Day

NEW: When Premier Doug Ford signed off on 15 safe consumption sites in 2019, proximity to schools and child care centres (100-200m) was a key consideration that the gov't addressed. Five years later, that same proximity became a problem. globalnews.ca/news/10705962/… #ONpoli

The Ford government asked experts what to do about Ontario's supervised drug consumption sites. The experts recommended ways to improve them. The government ignored that advice, and shut down 10. My coverage on CBC News: The National last night. youtu.be/nzZRnVhrYZw

“We've had no issues, none at all” with the consumption site, said the child-care centre's manager" therecord.com/opinion/column…

I found this interesting: “alcohol-related harms cost Ontario more than $7 billion annually, which is greater than the costs of harms from tobacco and opioids combined.” thestar.com/news/alcohol-a…

"The crime statistics provided by Waterloo Regional Police Service demonstrate that the presence of the CTS has not been connected to an increase in crime in the area, despite public perception surrounding this issue." cbc.ca/news/canada/ki…

We’ve installed a new pedestrian/cycling bridge across HWY 7/8! This bridge is a game changer making it easier for locals to reach their fav spots & part of our commitment to growing an active transportation network & supporting climate-aligned growth. Next up: ramps & stairways!

"Supervised injection sites don’t lead to increased drug use or crime in the community. They’re incredibly effective at preventing blood-borne infections and that ends up saving the health system $. And they’re very good at connecting people w/ services." sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

"It is vital to rely on healthcare professionals and evidence-based research when addressing complex issues like addiction. Public opinion, while valuable, should not drive policies requiring specialized knowledge." mailchi.mp/citizensforcam…

ONTARIO'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH recommends supervised consumption services #CTS, and adding inhalation accommodation - most often the mode of use in fatal drug poisoning/ #overdose victims. Full Report: ontario.ca/files/2024-04/…

Call am early election. #1990 x.com/CP24/status/18…

Very sad news today.

Make sure you shut down those consumption and treatment sites.

“I think this whole situation draws attention to how dire the problem of homelessness is, and how limited are the resources that municipalities have to deal with this issue,” Pickleball or housing? | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/10726661/…

1/I would never, ever downplay the frustration people have with some CTS locations where there's been violence. But it is a fact that in some cases, including Kitchener and Guelph, crime has gone down around them compared to before their launch: google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.…

Ontario health minister went against review recommendations on consumption sites. Two reports recommended keeping existing drug consumption sites open, increasing funding to help stabilize staffing, and hiring permanent security guards. tvo.org/article/ontari…

Just finished taping some new episodes of Old Grey Mayors - All Politics is Local podcast. Looking forward to sharing them soon.

Premier Doug Ford insists there's "absolutely no comparison" between convenience stores selling booze near schools and the supervised drug consumption sites he is restricting. therecord.com/politics/provi…

“My kiddos bike to school, as do many others, and they can’t use the bike lane because cars continually pull over, making the kids go into the live lanes of traffic to get around them" kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/09/06/kit…

“I guess I’ll end up in a park,” Garrett says of where he’ll use drugs in the future. ‘I wouldn’t be here’: Ontario supervised consumption site users speak out on closures | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/10730212/…