MEDIA RELEASE
The Closure of Kitchener’s Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) Site is Slated for March 31, 2025
Waterloo Region’s Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site has been a vital part of our community’s harm reduction efforts, providing a safe, supervised space for people to use their own substances under medical supervision. In 2024 alone, the site recorded 15,050 client visits, managed 79 overdoses on-site, and prevented countless more through education, naloxone distribution, and connections to care. Since opening in 2019, the site has overseen more than 1,000 overdose interventions with zero fatalities.
With the passing of Bill 223, we are now facing the imminent closure of the CTS on March 31, 2025. This loss is significant—not only because it removes a critical overdose prevention service, but because the funding that supported many of the essential wrap-around services (mental health services, nursing and wound care, case management, and peer support) disappears along with it. This creates the potential for a major service gap in our community at a time when the opioid crisis continues to escalate.
What Happens Next?
Despite these challenges, Sanguen remains committed to serving the people who rely on us. While resources and funding remain uncertain, we are actively working with our valued community partners to develop a transitional plan to ensure people still have access to harm reduction, support, and overdose prevention services regardless of where they are at in their addiction journey. Here’s what we’re focusing on:
A Drop-In Space & Clinical Hub
In partnership with Traverse Independence Brain Injury Services , we are in the process of creating a supportive drop-in space at 130 Victoria Street (Bramm St. Entrance) in Kitchener for people who use substances. The Drop-In space will not provide supervised consumption services, however, many of the other supports that were a valued part of the CTS will be available, including access to primary care, social support, connection to community resources, and a welcoming space for people to engage.
Hours of operation are still being determined, and we will continue to provide updates through our website and social media channels.
Enhanced Overdose Response Training
Our Education and Training Team is ramping up efforts to equip the broader community with lifesaving overdose prevention skills. With CTS gone, the risk of fatal overdoses will rise, along with the need to prepare for that reality.
Advocacy & Community Collaboration
We are working with community partners to fill service gaps, but resources are stretched across the board. The need for harm reduction services will continue after the CTS closure, and we will remain committed to supporting people through innovative and collaborative approaches.
Participation in HART Hubs
The newly announced HART (Homelessness, Addiction, Recovery and Treatment) Hubs represent an important expansion of treatment and recovery options in our community. Sanguen is committed to playing a role in this new model, providing Primary Care support and serving as a vital bridge to help connect individuals with the range of healthcare and social services available through the HART Hub. We recognize that recovery looks different for everyone, and our goal is to ensure that those we serve can access the support that best meets their needs.
“HART Hubs are a valuable resource for those seeking treatment, and we fully support their place in the continuum of care,” said Dr. Chris Steingart, Executive Director of Sanguen Health Centre. “At the same time, harm reduction services continue to be a critical part of saving lives and keeping people engaged in care. The closure of the CTS leaves a gap that we must work to address.”
Call to Action
The CTS closure is not just a loss for Sanguen—it’s a loss for all of Waterloo Region. We know that harm reduction services save lives, reduce public drug use, and connect people with healthcare and social support. Without this site, people will be at higher risk of overdose and death, and our community will feel the impact.
To learn more about Sanguen Health Centre and the many services we provide in the community, check out our 2024 Community Impact Report.
For information about harm reduction and how to access available services in our community, visit this website: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/harm-reduction.aspx
To support Sanguen, visit: https://sanguen.com/donate/
Media Contact:
Julie Kalbfleisch
Director, Fundraising and Communications
jkalbfleisch@sanguen.com