A Law That Diverts Attention from the Real Causes
While the government claims to seek a balance between the needs of people who use drugs and those of the neighbourhood, the Coalition rejects the legislative approach that undermines the work of organizations under the pretext of social cohabitation. This law perpetuates the idea that the tensions observed in neighbourhoods stem from the services themselves, rather than from the structural crises (housing, mental health, overdoses) that these organizations are precisely trying to address.
“Blaming community organizations, particularly Supervised Consumption Services (SCS), only diverts attention from our society, which is a machine for creating inequalities, now more than ever.”
– Added Julien Montreuil, Executive Director of L’Anonyme and spokesperson for the Coalition.
The Coalition recalls that the tensions observed in several neighbourhoods stem primarily from a set of structural factors, as well as public policies that further marginalize the most vulnerable individuals. The adoption of this new law unfortunately aligns with this trend, much like the lack of renewal of the Quebec Overdose Prevention Strategy, an essential tool left in limbo without any work appearing to have been initiated. Instead of strengthening public health responses, the law weakens the organizations that precisely mitigate the impacts of these crises.
Insufficient Changes to Protect Services
Although the Coalition has always opposed the very principle of legislating Supervised Consumption Services (SCS), it nevertheless took several actions to amend Bill 103 in the hope of mitigating its negative consequences. These efforts led to the complete removal of any form of authorization for a space primarily intended to serve people experiencing homelessness. This provision had no relevance other than creating an unjustified amalgam between homelessness and drug use. The bill was also amended to specify that the social cohabitation plan is now the responsibility of Santé Québec, in collaboration with municipal actors and relevant stakeholders. However, members of the Coalition remain deeply concerned about the concrete implementation of these mitigation measures and their actual effectiveness on the ground.
“Despite the adjustments obtained, the law still carries major uncertainties for the sustainability and development of SCS,”
– Underlined Sandhia Vadlamudy, spokesperson for the Coalition.
The law introduces constraints that risk reducing access to services rather than strengthening it, by undermining the autonomy of community organizations and adding geographical limits that do not reflect the realities on the ground. These elements do not meet the urgent needs of the most affected communities.
A Call for Vigilance and Government Accountability
The Coalition remains vigilant regarding the implementation of this new law and the commitments made by the Minister Delegate for Health, Sonia Bélanger, particularly concerning cohabitation issues, which do not constitute a reason to refuse authorization to an organization. The minister has also committed to providing concrete support to SCS to ensure the continuity of their essential mission. However, the announced modalities remain unclear, particularly in terms of human and financial resources.
The Coalition therefore expects the government to apply this law in a manner consistent with its commitments and with the recognition it has itself expressed for SCS as essential actors in saving lives and mitigating the social tensions surrounding the overdose crisis.
About the Coalition for Supervised Consumption Services in Quebec
The Coalition for Supervised Consumption Services in Quebec brings together thirty (30) organizations. Their work is based on years of direct intervention, clinical expertise, research, and commitment to people in situations of great precariousness. Together, they form an indispensable voice in the fight against the overdose crisis and social exclusion.
List of Coalition Members
- AIDQ — Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec
- AQPSUD — Quebec Association for the Promotion of the Health of People Who Use Drugs
- AQCID — Quebec Association of Addiction Intervention Centres
- ASPQ — Quebec Public Health Association
- ATTRueQ — Quebec Association of Street Workers
- Benoît Labre — Maison Benoît Labre
- BRAS Outaouais — Regional HIV/AIDS Action Bureau
- Cactus Montréal
- CIPTO — Corporation for Integration, Participation, and Work in Outaouais
- Coalition Interjeunes
- Dopamine — Community Addiction Organization in Montreal
- GRIP — Psychosocial Research and Intervention Group
- L’Anonyme
- La Coopérative de solidarité SABSA
- La Rue Bécancour
- MACADAM Sud
- Médecins du Monde
- Nomade
- OASIS
- PACT de rue — Community-Based Street Outreach Project
- Point de Rue — Point de Rue Trois-Rivières
- RAPSIM — Montreal Network for Aid to Single and Homeless Persons
- Regroupement des auberges du cœur du Québec
- RISQ — Quebec Homelessness Solidarity Network
- Rocajq — Quebec Network of Autonomous Community Youth Organizations
- ROCQTR — Quebec Network of Community Organizations in Street Outreach
- Service de travail de rue de Chicoutimi
- Sidalys
- Spectre de rue
- Tandem Mauricie — Tandem Mauricie Street Outreach