Group sets up unsanctioned supervised consumption site at Kitchener encampment

A group of concerned community members have set up a tent to help people use drugs under supervision — although it is unsanctioned and the Region of Waterloo says they had no knowledge of it before it was set up.

In a news release, the Alan Ryan People's Community Defence Brigade said it set up the "medical tent" after the consumption and treatment site (CTS) located at 150 Duke St. W was closed by the province in March.

"The absence of supervised locations for drug users has pushed the community to respond to this serious problem by setting up a tent to ensure safe consumption," the brigade's press release said, asking local residents to pitch in with their expertise.

"We strongly encourage people in the city of Kitchener and the Waterloo region to advocate on behalf of the victims and those at risk of this crisis, and welcome volunteers with medical knowledge and expertise to support this community initiative."

The tent was set up at 6 p.m. on Thursday at a long-standing encampment at the corner of Victoria Street and Weber Street in Kitchener. It is home to dozens of residents, some who have lived there for several years.

The new tent and the encampment surrounding it are located on regional property.

The regional government passed a bylaw earlier this year to clear the tents by Dec. 1 because the land is needed as part of a project to build a new transit hub.

Regional government wasn't aware of tent plan

The regional government said Friday it was not aware of the plan and has nothing to do with it. 

Peter Sweeney, the region's commissioner of community services, previously told CBC News that regional staff will work with people at the encampment on a "case-by-case basis to find alternative and safer housing accommodations."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Region of Waterloo said it was not aware of the tent before it was erected and is not involved in the new medical tent initiative.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) said in a statement that it is aware of the new tent and will "continue to investigate any reports of criminal behaviour and liaise with the Region of Waterloo."

"Members of WRPS's Community Youth Engagement Unit continue to provide supports to the residents of the encampment and assist where required."

Response from province

CBC also reached out to the province for comment on the tent set up by the Alan Ryan People's Community Defence Brigade, also asking in an email what would prevent others from setting up similar sites. 

Jackson Jacobs, a  spokesperson for the office of Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones, didn't respond to the questions directly.

In an email, the spokesperson said "communities, parents and families across Ontario have made it clear that the presence of drug consumption sites near schools and daycares were leading to serious safety concerns."

"Our government took action to protect children and their families by building a system of care that prioritizes community safety, treatment and recovery.

"We have invested $550 million to create 28 HART hubs across the province, including in Kitchener, where our HART hub is open and operating providing more comprehensive care than the support services previously offered at the CTS site."