Council approves multi-part response to transition from Consumption and Treatment Services site to Provincial HART Hub model

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

At their last meeting, Council once again grappled with the uncertain future of Kingston’s addiction services. 

It was announced in March that Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS), which has operated alongside the Integrated Care Hub since 2018, would close effective Sept. 30, 2026 as a result of the Province’s decision to cut funding to CTS sites across Ontario.

The Province announced on Apr. 10 that a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, will be established in Kingston. HART Hubs will provide services related to addiction recovery, primary care, and supportive housing. However, unlike the CTS model, HART hubs require abstinence as a condition of access, and will not provide safe supply or supervised consumption.

At a lengthy meeting in March, Council began discussing how to navigate the significant gaps that will be left after the closure. At their meeting on Tuesday, May 5, now with knowledge of a confirmed HART Hub, Council continued the conversation, debating and ultimately approving a multi-part response to the looming closure, including $350,000 to be allocated to new harm reduction pilot programs.

Listen to the full story here.