Harm reduction advocates rally for CTS site support in Kitchener

A rally calling on more action from local governments to protect Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) sites was held in Carl Zehr Square on Friday.

The group Students for Harm Reduction Coalition at Renison University College organized the rally and and gave attendees a chance to sign a petition, share stories, and learn more about harm reduction policies. There was also a space dedicated to memorials honouring those who have died from overdoses.

Friday was the first event organized by Students for Harm Reduction. The group was formed earlier in the semester by several fourth year students in social work.

Peter Morey, who is with the group, said local governments should not be “passing the buck” and need to come up with solutions to help protect harm reduction programs.

“We don’t have the answers or the solutions, but we do want to creative think of ways to get around the system,” said Morey. Some ideas he suggested included establishing a city fund for harm reductions, work with the feds to create a urgent public health needs sites, and forming a coalition with local advocates.

“It may be Queen’s Park that has enacted this harmful policy, but it’s not going to be Queen’s Park that feels this loss. This loss is going to be felt on our streets with our neighbours, family and friends.”

The provincial government announced in August new regulations that will see multiple CTS sites close across the province, including the one in Kitchener on 140 Duke Street. Friday’s rally also marked 45 days since the City of Kitchener passed a motion urging the government to keep funding the sites past its termination date in March.