Community Rallies to Save Bevel Up Consumption Site in Regent Park
By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

On March 31, 2025, a crowd of frontline health workers, harm reduction advocates, and community members gathered in front of Regent Park Community Health Centre (RPCHC) to protest the sudden closure of Bevel Up Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS). The demonstration was a powerful display of grief, anger, and determination in the face of what many called an unjust and unnecessary decision.

Bevel Up’s closure shocked supporters, particularly because it was legally protected by a two-year federal exemption and a recent court injunction allowing supervised consumption sites to remain open. These protections were put in place to ensure that vulnerable populations could continue to access life-saving harm reduction services without interruption—especially during an escalating opioid crisis that continues to claim lives daily.

Speakers at the rally included harm reduction workers, health professionals, and local residents, many of whom shared personal stories of loss and resilience. They described the emotional toll of working on the frontlines—witnessing preventable overdoses, losing clients and friends, and continuing to fight for resources that could save lives. One outreach worker, holding back tears, asked the question that echoed throughout the crowd: “Why are we closing a service that is both legal and saving lives?”

Critics say the closure is not based on legal or health evidence, but rather on political pressure and stigma against harm reduction. The decision has raised serious concerns about the transparency and leadership at RPCHC, and its impact on the broader community of people who rely on supervised consumption sites for safety and survival.

Amidst the heartache, a glimmer of hope emerged. A recent court ruling has paused enforcement of the provincial government’s controversial 200-metre restriction on consumption services near schools and playgrounds. This means that while Bevel Up is closing, other CTS locations facing similar threats may now stay open while the legal battle continues. However, advocates caution that legal reprieve doesn’t equal long-term security, as many sites remain underfunded and vulnerable to political interference.

Still, for the workers and advocates gathered in Regent Park, the fight is far from over.

“We’ve already lost too many people. We can’t afford to lose any more,” said one organizer. The closure of Bevel Up, they argued, is more than just a policy decision—it’s a life-and-death matter for those struggling with addiction, many of whom already face homelessness, poverty, and systemic neglect.

Despite these setbacks, harm reduction workers remain committed. Carrying their grief with quiet resolve, they continue to show up for their communities, demanding action and accountability. As one supporter put it: “We’re tired. But we’re not going anywhere.”

The message from the rally was clear: solidarity, courage, and sustained public pressure are urgently needed to protect harm reduction services—not just in Regent Park, but across Ontario.

Bevel Up may be closing its doors, but the movement to save lives is still wide open.