Release funding for overdose prevention sites: NDP to Ford

QUEEN’S PARK — Bhutila Karpoche, Ontario NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions, said it’s shameful for Doug Ford to deny applications and withhold funding for desperately needed overdose prevention sites as the opioid overdose crisis continues to rip loved ones away from Ontario families.

The Globe and Mail reports that as 15 approved overdose prevention sites wait for funding to flow, the Ford government has turned down three applications for additional sites.

“It is deeply concerning to hear that the Ford Conservatives are withholding funding for the approved overdose prevention sites,” said Karpoche. “The need for sites is so much greater than this, and every day that we wait for resources to help manage the opioid overdose crisis is a day that another Ontario family could be shattered by the death of a loved one.

“We should not be putting the lives of people who use drugs at risk when there is a way to keep them safe. I am urging the Ford government to fund additional sites based on need and immediately release funding for the approved overdose prevention sites.”