Safe consumption sites are a necessary part of keeping vulnerable Canadians alive; we believe the Church and Wellesley community needs more such sites. Although the wonderful team at The 519 Is doing what they can to provide harm reduction services, the community deserves to have access to a safe consumption site on location. 

We are reaching out to the newly elected councilor for Ward 13, Curran Stikuts, to request assistance in allowing for a safe injection site to be opened at The 519. As a former member of The 519's leadership, we believe Councillor Sitkuts is uniquely situated to continue to provide support and advocacy for the community initiative.  

According to The 519, In 2023, 523 Torontonians died due to opioid poisoning. Deaths due to drug toxicity can be reduced by the presence of harm reduction sites, by allowing medical care to be administered rapidly, on site, in the event of an emergency. Since the passing of the Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024, in Ontario, the needs of the most vulnerable populations are being pushed aside as an inconvenience (Adam et. Al.). Rather than pushing vulnerable populations out, they should be cared for in the heart of the community where they already belong.  

 Community members struggling with addiction deserve support and access to appropriate care at sensible hours. By allowing The 519 to operate a safe consumption site, we will decrease the risk of opioid toxicity related deaths as well as bring community members inside the Center to access the other supports offered by The 519.  

 Sign this petition to let City Council know that The 519 deserves a safe consumption site.

Together we can create a safer, more inclusive community for everyone. 

References:

Adam, T., Snyder, S., Sibblis, C., Mundaka Riquelme, G., Pilling, M., & Voronka, J. (2026).  Dismantling harm reduction funding in Ontario: Safe consumption sites and the  organized abandonment of people who use drugs. Critical Sociology.  https://doi.org/10.1177/08969205261463743

City of Toronto. (2018, August 20). Supervised injection services. City of Toronto; City of  Toronto. https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health programs-advice/supervised-injection-services/

González, M. (2024). A colorful rainbow strip adorns a building facade in Mexico City,  highlighting urban creativity. [Photography]. Pexles.  https://www.pexels.com/photo/rainbow-flag-on-block-of-flats-27456451/

The 519. (2024, August 20). Safe consumption sites save lives. The 519.  https://www.the519.org/safe-consumption-sites-save-lives/

(2026, April 13). Curran Stikuts for Toronto Centre. Curran Stikuts for Toronto Centre Councillor. https://votecurran.ca/