The 360 NPLC, located in downtown Peterborough, provides primary care and health system navigation for marginalized and vulnerable populations, many of whom access care through or alongside CTS services.
“Their work has been compassionate, skilled and lifesaving,” said the statement. “Every day, they have demonstrated unwavering commitment; preventing overdoses, building trust and connecting individuals to care. Their contributions have made a meaningful and lasting impact in Peterborough. The recent announcement of the CTS closure will have significant and far-reaching effect; not only for individuals who relied on this service, but for the broader community and the many partners who support it.”
“The closure of the CTS represents not only the loss of a critical harm reduction service, but also the loss of an important entry point into primary care for individuals who often face substantial barriers to accessing traditional healthcare. This comes at a time when our clinic has already experienced reductions in harm reduction capacity, including the loss of funding for the Safer Supply Program (SSP) last year. Programs like SSP and CTS are not standalone services; they are interconnected components of a broader continuum of care that support engagement, stability and safety. Evidence shows that supervised consumption services and related harm reduction programs reduce overdose deaths, improve access to treatment and act as critical gateways into healthcare and social supports.”
The closure of the CTS is expected to increase pressure on the Emergency Department, as more individuals will require acute care for overdoses and related complications that were previously managed in a supervised setting. The BLANK has concluded that the loss of on-site nursing care, including preventative wound care, means more untreated infections and complications, and the added demand will contribute to longer wait times and increased strain on an already overburdened system.
“The impacts of this closure will extend well beyond the healthcare sector,” the statement continues. “Without a comparable service in place, we can expect increased pressures on paramedic services and police, who will see a rise in overdose responses and crisis calls. Public spaces, including the library, transit hubs and other shared community environments, will experience increased challenges as individuals who previously accessed supervised care are displaced. Public works teams will also face increased demands related to community safety and public space maintenance.”
Supervised consumption services have been shown to reduce harms not only for individuals, but for communities; decreasing overdose-related morbidity and mortality and supporting safer public environments.
“We remain encouraged that organizations such as FourCAST, PARN and PRHC’S RAAM clinic will continue to play a critical role in supporting individuals who use substances. Their work in treatment, recovery and harm reduction remains essential. However, with the narrowing of the continuum of services available in Peterborough, gaps in care will inevitably emerge. The CTS has been a vital point of connection for many individuals and its closure will leave a noticeable void.”
“This moment underscores the importance of coordinated, community-based responses that prioritize both individual wellbeing and public safety,” the statement concludes. “It is essential that we work together to ensure that those most at risk remain connected to care.
