The City of Toronto continues to operate its shelter system under a set of radical policies that have sparked significant controversy and debate. Internal guidelines actively encourage practices such as hiring people who actively use drugs to staff shelter programs, pushing for the provision of drugs and drug paraphernalia in facilities that are supposed to be drug-free, and mandating that all shelters housing children must also provide drug services.
A Clash with Provincial Direction
These policies persist despite a clear shift in strategy at the provincial level. The Ford government has moved to close public drug injection sites located near schools and daycares, pivoting towards a model that emphasizes addiction treatment over simply managing drug use. This provincial approach reflects a growing consensus among the public and politicians across Canada that an over-reliance on "harm reduction" has failed to curb the worsening drug crisis, which has resulted in countless lost lives and significant damage to downtown communities.
The Shocking Ten-Point Plan
The source of these controversial shelter practices is a document authored by Toronto Public Health staff, referred to as a "ten point plan." This guide directs shelter programs to "plan for the intentional integration of people who use drugs into their staff team." The paid duties for these individuals can reportedly include assisting others with drug consumption.
This approach raises serious concerns about safety and order. The presence of active drug users on staff inevitably attracts drug dealers to the vicinity of shelters, as they follow their client base. This creates an environment where even staff members could be liaising with dealers, further entrenching drug activity within the shelter system.
Undermining Abstinence and Safety
The city's guidelines also appear to undermine the very purpose of abstinence-based shelters. These facilities are designed as a critical option for individuals seeking to live in a drug-free environment. However, the city's guide states that while these programs "may not directly provide the fullest spectrum of harm reduction services, they remain accountable for employing a harm reduction approach, ensuring that their residents who use drugs are enabled to do so in the safest ways possible."
This directive effectively tells shelters dedicated to abstinence that they must still enable drug use, a policy that critics argue sabotages the recovery efforts of those trying to stay clean. The real-world consequences of such a permissive drug environment were tragically highlighted by a criminal case involving a staff member at a Leslieville drug injection site, who was charged with aiding a drug dealer. This incident occurred in the context of drug warfare that led to the death of a young mother, caught in the crossfire.
As other governments recalibrate their strategies towards treatment and common sense, the City of Toronto's shelter system remains guided by a radical framework that continues to prioritize enabling drug use over proven paths to recovery.
