The Addictions and Mental Health Services – Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington will part of the new HART hub in Kingston.
In a news release on Friday, AMHS-KFLA say that they will be leading the development and transition of their current model to the HART (Homeless and Addicitions Recovery Treatment) hub. They say this will bring increased resources in support of the most vulnerable people in the community.
The Province announced earlier in the day that the HART hub will be ready to open in Kingston on October 1, one day after the current drug consumption site at the Integrated Care Hub is set to close. They also said they intend to double the funding to the new site to $6.3 million.
AMHS-KFLA says the programs at the ICH will remain open as they navigate through the transition, and will continue to be a welcoming, low-barrier place for community and connection.
The City of Kingston issued their own statement saying the rest area and associated overnight shelter beds operating out of the ICH are expected to continue through the transition period and be considered as part of future HART Hub planning.
They say the City remains committed to working with community partners in supporting residents experiencing addiction or homelessness.
The Province said it is ending all funding to drug consumption sites in Ontario on September 30.
Story by Ken Hashizume
