keepSIX Drug Consumption Site Closes Under New Ontario Law

The keepSIX supervised consumption site in Toronto’s east end officially closed on March 21, following Ontario’s new law banning such services within 200 metres of schools or childcare centres. The site operated out of the South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) at 955 Queen St. E.

Halloween Haunt Returns to Canada’s Wonderland — Karolina Huebner-Makurat, 44, died in hospital on July 7, 2023, after being struck by a stray bullet near Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue in Leslieville. Her death sparked a strong response from the community. (Photo via Adrian Makurat)

The closure marks a significant shift in provincial drug policy, prompting concern among harm reduction advocates and health workers.

Why Did the Leslieville Site Close?

The Ontario government passed legislation requiring ten supervised consumption sites to close by March 31, 2025, citing public safety risks. Among the targets was the keepSIX site, located near several schools.

The policy change followed a fatal shooting in July 2023, where Karolina Huebner-Makurat, a mother of two, was killed by a stray bullet near the SRCHC. The incident drew province-wide attention and triggered reviews of the operation and safety of consumption services.

Though the site could have remained open through the end of March, it closed early due to staffing shortages, according to the centre.

What Services Are Ending?

With the closure of keepSIX, the following services have ended at SRCHC:

Supervised drug use
Safer supply distribution
Needle exchange programs

However, the centre says it will continue offering:

Sterile harm reduction supplies
Daily sweeps for drug litter
Overdose response training

The room once used for consumption services will now serve as a meeting space.

A Legacy of Harm Reduction

Since opening in 2017, the keepSIX site has been a key part of the SRCHC’s COUNTERfit harm reduction program. Staff provided a range of services, including:

Primary care
Mental health support
Housing referrals
Wound care and vaccinations

Shannon Wiens, SRCHC’s CEO, acknowledged the deep emotional toll of the closure:

“We reached thousands of people and saved hundreds of lives.”

Wiens added that five community members, including a long-time staff member, died in recent weeks. The centre held a final open house in February to honour the site’s impact.

Transition to New HART Hub Model

SRCHC will now serve as co-lead of the East Toronto HART Hub, set to open in April at 1156 Danforth Ave. This hub will focus on:

Integrated care
Substance use treatment
Housing support

Fourteen organizations will help deliver services at multiple locations across East Toronto.

The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs are part of a broader provincial plan to replace supervised consumption services with abstinence-focused models. Ontario has committed $529 million to open 27 HART Hubs.

Legal Challenge and Community Response

Despite the transition, a court challenge is underway to fight the law that forced these closures. Critics argue it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Advocates like Zoe Dodd, a co-founder of Toronto Overdose Prevention Society, say the closures will increase overdose deaths.

“The closure of this site is the loss of a lifeline,” she posted on social media.

More…