‘I’m terrified’: As clock ticks down for Ontario consumption sites, users fear they won’t survive
Ontario’s provincial government will end funding for eight supervised consumption sites in June 2026, leaving thousands of users like Riley Bisson—who credits the Moss Park site in Toronto for saving her life multiple times and keeping her out of jail—without access to critical overdose prevention services. Advocates warn the closures will increase overdose deaths, strain healthcare systems, and worsen public safety, with emergency overdose calls in Toronto already doubling since last year’s partial shutdowns." "article": "Ontario’s eight remaining publicly funded supervised consumption sites face closure in June 2026 after the provincial government announced it would stop funding them. Riley Bisson, a 50-year-old Toronto resident, has relied on the Moss Park site for nearly three decades, calling it a lifeline that has kept her out of jail and saved her life four times after overdoses. The closures have sparked fear among users, families, and harm-reduction advocates, who argue the move will lead to more overdose deaths and increased healthcare costs. Rose Bisson, Riley’s mother, expressed devastation, stating the site provides a judgment-free environment where her daughter feels supported. Without it, she fears losing contact with Riley entirely. Data from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network shows a sharp rise in suspected drug toxicities treated by emergency services, jumping from 604 in Q1 2025 to 1,024 in Q3. In Toronto alone, paramedics responded to 387 non-fatal opioid overdose calls in March 2026—more than double the number from March 2025, the month before the first closures. The Ford government previously shut down nine sites in April 2025, citing proximity to schools and daycares. Public health researcher Gillian Kolla, studying the impact of these changes, warns the trend of rising overdoses will likely continue without supervised consumption services. Advocates urge the government to reconsider, emphasizing the sites’ role in reducing harm and saving lives.
Ontario’s eight remaining publicly funded supervised consumption sites face closure in June 2026 after the provincial government announced it would stop funding them. Riley Bisson, a 50-year-old Toronto resident, has relied on the Moss Park site for nearly three decades, calling it a lifeline that has kept her out of jail and saved her life four times after overdoses. The closures have sparked fear among users, families, and harm-reduction advocates, who argue the move will lead to more overdose deaths and increased healthcare costs. Rose Bisson, Riley’s mother, expressed devastation, stating the site provides a judgment-free environment where her daughter feels supported. Without it, she fears losing contact with Riley entirely. Data from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network shows a sharp rise in suspected drug toxicities treated by emergency services, jumping from 604 in Q1 2025 to 1,024 in Q3. In Toronto alone, paramedics responded to 387 non-fatal opioid overdose calls in March 2026—more than double the number from March 2025, the month before the first closures. The Ford government previously shut down nine sites in April 2025, citing proximity to schools and daycares. Public health researcher Gillian Kolla, studying the impact of these changes, warns the trend of rising overdoses will likely continue without supervised consumption services. Advocates urge the government to reconsider, emphasizing the sites’ role in reducing harm and saving lives.
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