A Faith Response to Consumption and Treatment Services
First presented on September 30, 2024
In August 2024, the provincial government announced the imminent closure of the only Consumption & Treatment Services (CTS) site in Waterloo Region. For the past 5 years, it has been located at the intersection of Duke & College streets in Kitchener. It also happens to be across the street from St John the Evangelist Anglican Church. I’ve attended there for more than 15 years, and currently serve as “churchwarden”. I believed it important that our community make it’s voice heard over the closure, which we oppose. Kitchener City Council, while not responsible for CTS, was asked to add it’s voice to those that see the value of harm reduction strategies in addressing substance use in our community. This is video and text of what I said on behalf of my faith community…
Mayor and Members of Council,
My name is Simon Guthrie, and I am the People’s Warden at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church here in Kitchener. Our church building is located at 23 Water St North, within a block of both Kitchener City Hall, and the only CTS in our Region. In this role, I work closely with our congregation to support its spiritual growth and its engagement with the broader community. The position itself is one of voluntary service - ensuring the well-being of our parish members while acting as a liaison between the congregation and the Church leadership. It embodies a deep commitment to both care and advocacy, which brings me here today.
St. John’s has been a part of this community for over 130 years. Our church has weathered countless societal changes, and throughout it all, we have remained steadfast in our outreach and social justice mission. From supporting those in need to partnering with local organizations, St. John’s has long been dedicated to living out our faith through action. At the same time we refuse to forget the dark chapters in our history, particularly the Anglican Church’s role in the operation of Indian Residential Schools. This includes the Mohawk Institute in what is now Brantford, where horrors both known and unknown were carried out. As we reflect on Truth and Reconciliation today, we must acknowledge this history and pledge our ongoing commitment to healing and justice.
It is in this spirit of Reconciliation that I stand here today. We, as a church, have a responsibility to not only recognize our past mistakes but to actively work to prevent harm in the present and future. This is why we have supported the CTS in our neighborhood from its inception. We recognized early on the life-saving potential of such a service, and our support for it was grounded in both our faith and our commitment to human dignity.
A powerful parable from the Gospel of Luke, that of the Good Samaritan tells of a man beaten, robbed, and left on the side of the road. He is ignored by others who pass by, but it is a Samaritan - a figure often despised by the community - who stops, offers aid, and ensures the man’s safety. For us, this story is not just a parable; it is a guiding principle. We are called, as a community, to not walk past those in need, but to stop, offer help, and ensure the safety of those who are suffering. CTS and it’s principles of harm reduction reflects what we learn from the story. Harm reduction is not a solution that we can turn our backs on in discomfort; It is an opportunity for us, as a community, to extend compassion and care to those often left on the margins.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." To us, the people who rely on CTS are members of our family, often shunned, stigmatized, and treated as though they are beyond help. But as Christians, we are called to reject that narrative. Every life is precious, and every person deserves safety and compassion. Supporting harm reduction services like CTS is one way we live out this calling, offering care to those who need it most.
But it is not only our faith that compels us; our human values also play a significant role. It is a matter of dignity and human rights. People who use drugs deserve to do so where their lives are valued, and their safety is prioritized. The evidence is clear that CTS saves lives. In our community, it reduces harm, prevents overdose deaths, and offers a path to other health and social services that can eventually lead to recovery.
Since the establishment of CTS, we at St. John’s have witnessed its benefits firsthand. Before the site opened, our property was frequently used by individuals in active drug use. We saw the remnants of this—discarded needles, drug paraphernalia, and the occasional tragic sight of someone experiencing an overdose. It was clear that these individuals needed a safe space, somewhere that offered not only clean supplies but also connection to medical care and treatment options. The CTS brought that, and with it, we saw an immediate reduction in drug use on our property. But more than that, we saw how the site provided dignity to those who once had no choice but to use in public spaces.
As a church and a community, we welcome the creation of HART hubs in our region. These hubs represent a positive step towards treating the intertwined issues of homelessness and addiction. However, while we celebrate their establishment, we also mourn the loss of complementary harm reduction services. Without these essential services, we risk leaving many vulnerable individuals without the support they need to survive. The two approaches of treatment and harm reduction work best in tandem. One cannot replace the other. The loss of CTS would leave a dangerous gap in our community’s safety net, especially for those not yet ready or able to seek treatment.
We must show compassion towards the clients of the CTS. These individuals are members of our community. They are our neighbors… our brothers and sisters… our parents… our children… and they deserve to be treated with dignity. Providing them with a safe space to use drugs gives them the chance, maybe not today or tomorrow, but a chance to someday pursue treatment. Most importantly, it protects them from the stigma and danger of using in public spaces, where they are often criminalized and dehumanized.
In closing, I strongly urge you to support this motion. Continuing to fund Consumption and Treatment Services is a matter of life and death for many in our community. It aligns not only with the principles of preventive healthcare but also with our moral and ethical duty to care for the most vulnerable among us. Let us not be like the passersby in the parable of the Good Samaritan, who walked past someone in need. Let us instead be like the Samaritan, who stopped, helped, and ensured that the person was cared for and safe.
Thank you for your time and attention.