Government moves forward with SIS  and OPS sites

RNAO is praising the province’s announcement in October to move ahead with supervised injection services (SIS) and overdose prevention services (OPS), suggesting it is a step in the right direction. “This day is absolutely a day for celebration for people with addictions and opioid substance use and for their families,” says Doris Grinspun, RNAO CEO. Included in the government’s announcement was the introduction of a new model and a rebranding of SIS and OPS as ‘consumption and treatment services.’ “These clinics will be better linked to other services, including rehabilitation services for those who are ready to engage with rehabilitation,” Grinspun says. Noting that not everyone is ready to engage, she adds that there will be no obligation to sign an agreement to rehabilitate to access the overdose consumption sites. According to Health Minister Christine Elliott, there are currently 16 sites in operation across Ontario, with three more waiting to start providing services in Thunder Bay, St. Catharines and Toronto. (London Live with Mike Stubbs, Oct. 22)