WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Region is not on the province's initial list of approved supervised drug consumption sites, which will now be called "consumption and treatment services sites" by the government.

According to a list posted online Friday afternoon, none of the 15 locations are in this region. The cities that will be allowed to operate sites are Toronto (six sites), Ottawa (three), and one each in London, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, St. Catharines and Thunder Bay.

"Our government takes the opioids crisis very seriously," said Health Minister Christine Elliott in a press release.

"That's why we've created a new Consumption and Treatment Services model that will continue to save lives by preventing overdoses and connecting people to primary care, treatment, rehabilitation and other health and social services to ensure those struggling with drug addiction get the help they need."

The government has capped the number of sites at 21, and ministry spokesperson David Jensen told the Hamilton Spectator the government continues to accept applications for the other six spots.

Asked if the province would consider lifting the cap, he said, "At the moment, the limit's 21."

Grace Bermingham, manager of harm reduction at the Region of Waterloo, said, "At this point, we do not know what this means for other communities who have yet to apply for funding. The need for consumption and treatment services in Waterloo Region is well established, and we will continue with our process."

Two sites in Toronto have been told to close and a third remains in limbo, and one in Ottawa must also close its doors as it was not among the 15 approved sites.

Bhutila Karpoche, Ontario NDP critic for mental health and addictions, is critical of the government's plan.

"What will happen to the people who rely on those overdose prevention sites is unthinkable. We need to give people suffering from addictions a chance at survival. For some, this callous decision could snuff out that chance," Karpoche said in a release.

Research has shown supervised injection sites can help reduce overdose deaths, reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, and reduce the strain on the health-care system.

The government considered a number of new criteria when choosing the sites, including "evidence of community support and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing community engagement," and proximity to licensed child-care centres, parks and schools.

In January, regional council voted to proceed with community consultations on possible sites for consumption and treatment services, despite objections from Cambridge members who are opposed to a site in that city.

A group of local anti-poverty activists even established an illegal safe injection site earlier this year to raise awareness about overdose deaths and the need for a permanent site.

Last year, 53 people died of an opioid overdose in the region, and there were 606 reported overdoses.

Waterloo Regional Police also responded to a record number of suspected opioid overdoses in January. Of the 75 suspected overdoses officers were called to that month, 10 people died.

As of Feb. 18, police had responded to 131 overdose calls and 14 deaths.

Officers started carrying naloxone in 2017 and administered the life-saving drug 35 times in 2018, compared to 22 in 2017.

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With files from the Hamilton Spectator

jjackson@therecord.com

Twitter: @JamesDEJ