Controversial safer supply clinic closing its doors next week

A divisive Ottawa safer supply clinic that prescribed opioids to fentanyl users but drew criticism while operating in two locations in less than a year will close its doors next week.

Northwood Recovery prescribed Dilaudid and other medication to people struggling with drug addiction. It opened first in Hintonburg last September before moving to a new location in Chinatown in March.

While patients who spoke to CBC generally supported the clinic, the company was criticized by others for its reliance on virtual care, for not offering a supervised injection site or wraparound services such as supportive housing, and for what neighbours said was an upsurge in open drug use.

On May 30, Dr. Suman Koka, the doctor running Northwood Recovery and a network of sister clinics across Ontario, email