Consumption and Treatment Services

The Kitchener Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site is now closed

The Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) at 150 Duke Street West, Kitchener is now closed. This is due to Bill 223, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 which bans CTS sites from operating within 200 metres from certain types of schools and child care centres. The site was operated by Sanguen Health Centre in partnership with Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services from October 2019 to March 2025.  

Where can people who use drugs go for services? 

There are other services available for people who use drugs. Please visit the Harm Reduction webpage for more information. 

If you witness an emergency situation call 911. 

If you would like more information about recognizing an overdose and where to get naloxone, visit the Harm Reduction webpage.   

If you see sharps or drug use equipment in public spaces,you can call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400 and your call will be directed to the appropriate office. You can find more information and guidance on how to safely dispose of sharps, including the locations of outdoor sharps disposal kiosk on the Safe Sharps Disposal webpage.  

CTS Data Dashboard
The Kitchener Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site is now closed. The last update to the Region of Waterloo Consumption and Treatment Services Dashboard will be in April 2025.

For mobile devices, view the CTS dashboard on Tableau

 
Background on CTS sites

Consumption and Treatment Services (or supervised consumption sites) are part of a health care service that allows people to use their own drugs under the supervision of medically trained workers. Individuals are also provided with sterile consumption supplies, education on safer consumption, overdose prevention and intervention, medical and counselling services, and referrals to drug treatment, housing, income support and other services.  

 

Consumption and Treatment Services is one part of a comprehensive harm reduction strategy that supports health equity and health as a human right. Research demonstrates that CTS services provide following benefits: 

  1. Saves lives by reducing the number of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. 
  2. Reduces the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C among people who use drugs. 
  3. Connects people who use drugs with mental health supports, addictions services, primary health care services, and social services like housing and other supports.  
  4. Creates a safer community by reducing drug use in public spaces and providing options for proper needle disposal. 

In Canada, the legal operation of CTS requires Federal Government approval, granted by the federal Minister of Health for legal exemption under section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).  

In Ontario, these sites must also follow requirements as set in the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 and cannot operate within 200 metres from certain types of schools, private schools, child care centres, EarlyON child and family centres and such other premises as may be prescribed by the regulations. 

Check the Supervised Consumption Sites on the Health Canada website for more information on existing sites.

Kitchener CTS  

Between October 2019 to March 2025 the CTS in Kitchener was operated by Sanguen Health Centre in partnership with Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services under an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.  

A 2023 program evaluation of the Kitchener CTS demonstrated positive impacts the CTS had on client health and well-being. Read more with the Executive Summary Consumption and Treatment Services in Kitchener Evaluation. 

Submit questions or complaints

Questions can be addressed to:  

Concerns of drug dealing, theft and trespassing are police matters and should be directed to Waterloo Region Police Service non-emergency number: 519-570-9777. 

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