West advocates to ‘Save the Spot’ in Sudbury and save lives

QUEEN’S PARK- MPP Jamie West (Sudbury) brought the voices of hundreds of Sudburians to Queen’s Park during Question Period today and demanded Ford’s Conservatives address the opioid epidemic.

“Crosses for Change is a memorial in Sudbury for people who have died by overdose,” said West. “Three years ago, there was a single cross. Now there are nearly 250 of them. It’s heartbreaking.” 

The Spot, Sudbury’s supervised consumption site, has been waiting for over two years to hear about provincial funding. When municipal funding runs out at the end of the month, The Spot will be forced to close. Their doors will shut, their life saving services will stop, and more people will die in Sudbury.

“Last Thursday, there was a rally in support of Sudbury’s supervised consumption site,” said West. “We marched to the Crosses. People were asked to speak, and it was difficult to find the words. Nobody could speak past their tears. Those aren’t crosses - they’re people. They’re best friends, work friends and neighbours. Sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers.”

“How many more people will have to die, and how many more crosses will Sudbury have to raise before the Premier saves lives by funding Sudbury’s supervised consumption site?”