Division of Substance Use Health | Psychiatry | School of Medicine

Advancing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and communities affected by substance use.

Established in August 2025 under the Department of Psychiatry, the Division of Substance Use Health aims to strengthen existing mental health services and advance a vision of inclusive, multi-divisional and multi-departmental collaboration that is person-centred, pragmatic, and responsive to both community and patient needs.

Through partnerships across hospital, academic, and community settings, the Division promotes excellence in substance use disorders care, education, and health system integration throughout the region.

It is envisioned as a hub for innovation, academic leadership, and coordinated care. The Division bridges psychiatry, medicine, and community health to enhance outcomes for individuals and populations affected by substance use.

Leadership and Team

Dr. Taras Reshetukha
Inaugural Chair, Division of Substance Use Health

Clinical Services

The Division provides specialized, age-inclusive, evidence-based psychiatric and addiction care that address the complex needs of individuals with substance use disorders, offering support across hospital and community settings.

Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation Team (START)

The Division’s core clinical team includes the Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation Team (START), an inpatient addiction consultation service at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). START supports KHSC physicians and their inpatient teams who are caring for patients with co-morbid substance use disorders. START collaborates with community partners, including Kingston Detoxification, Street Health Centre, KCHC, and Addictions and Mental Health Services (AMHS), among others, to facilitate effective transitions between hospital-based treatment and community services.

Consults Seen:

Assistance in diagnosing a substance use disorder.
Management of substance withdrawal.
Initiation and optimization of opioid agonist therapy (ex., methadone, buprenorphine) for opioid use disorder.
Initiation of anti-craving medications for alcohol use disorder.
Brief counseling and referral to outpatient services.
Harm reduction counseling.
Discharge planning

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Service not available on statutory holidays

Consultation Process

Consultations are triaged by urgency and volume
Most consults are seen within 24 to 48 hours

Contact START

Physicians and learners may consult the START team by calling or paging the START physician on call:

Phone/Page: 613‑548‑3232

Outpatient Services

Currently, START does not follow patients in the community. However, we assist patients in connecting with outpatient care at Concurrent Disorder Clinic at Hotel Dieu Hospital, KSHC, Street Health Centre and other clinics, and/or support their primary care provider via eConsults (OTN).

How to eConsult START:

Go to www.otnhub.ca (if you are not already registered to request eConsults, learn more at www.econsultsontario.ca) and look for “Launch eConsult”
Under recipient, search for “South East Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Team, Kingston Health Sciences Centre”

Rooming-In Approach: Care for Opioid-Dependent Newborns and Mothers

Launched as a pilot program by Dr. Adam Newman in 2013, this initiative is designed to maintain the “mother-infant dyad” and promote bonding to support improved outcomes for both mothers and infants. The program prioritizes skin-to-skin contact and maternal care, favoring these practices over immediate separation and admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

At Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), Dr. Adam Newman serves as the most responsible physician (MRP) for opioid-dependent infants who are able to room in with their mothers under this approach.

Portable OutReach Care Hub (PORCH)

Portable OutReach Care Hub (PORCH) is a retro-fitted RV providing health care and community services to those who may face barriers to accessing care, particularly those facing homelessness.

Under the leadership of Dr. Taras Reshetukha, PORCH provides low-barrier, mobile services to improve health outcomes by meeting people where they are—in the community.

Concurrent Disorders Clinics

Each clinic focuses on comprehensive psychiatric assessment and coordinated treatment planning to address both mental health issues and co-morbid substance use disorders, ensuring holistic care and improved patient outcomes.

Education

The Division of Substance Use Health is committed to advancing education and professional development at all levels of training, nurturing the next generation of leaders in addiction medicine.

Clinical Teaching and Supervision

Division faculty provide hands-on clinical teaching and supervision to a broad range of learners during their rotations with the inpatient Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation Team (START), the outpatient Concurrent Disorder Clinics, the Street Health Centre Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM), and the Kingston Detoxification Centre.

Residents and fellows from Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, as well as Queen’s medical students (observers and Clinical Clerkship [CC4]), gain direct experience managing substance use disorders within a collaborative, interdisciplinary team. This rich clinical environment fosters both practical skills and a compassionate, patient-centred approach to care.

Academic and Professional Development

Division staff plays a key role in residents’ Academic Half Days and lead hospital-wide grand rounds, sharing expertise and facilitating dialogue on emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in addiction medicine. Through these activities, trainees deepen their understanding of substance use disorders in a patient-centred context.

Curriculum Development

Faculty members contribute to the development and delivery of addiction curricula at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Division works to integrate addiction medicine into core medical education, ensuring future clinicians and scholars gain the knowledge and skills needed for high-quality substance use care. Educational activities include lectures, case-based learning, simulations, and interprofessional modules.

Addiction Medicine Fellowship

The Division will introduce an Addiction Medicine Fellowship program beginning July 2026. This postgraduate fellowship will offer advanced clinical training, academic mentorship, and research opportunities, preparing fellows to become experts and change agents in the care of substance use disorders.

Community Collaborations

The Division of Substance Use Health actively engages with a broad network of community partners to enhance harm reduction, improve access to care, and support people affected by substance use in the Kingston region.

Naloxone Distribution in the Hospital

Kingston Health Sciences Centre participates in provincial naloxone distribution programs, providing take-home naloxone kits to patients at risk of opioid overdose. This life-saving initiative supports overdose prevention and is integrated into hospital care pathways.

KGH Harm Reduction Policies

The hospital implements comprehensive harm reduction policies aimed at minimizing the adverse health impacts of substance use within hospital settings. These policies include safe supply practices, withdrawal management, and support for patient-centred care.

Referral Pathways

The Division collaborates with community organizations such as Street Health and Addictions & Mental Health Services (AMHS-KFLA) to provide seamless referral pathways. These collaborations ensure patients receive coordinated outpatient support.

Research Initiatives

The Division collaborates with Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s Research Institute and other academic partners to foster multidisciplinary research that advances knowledge in substance use health. A key focus is the ongoing evaluation of the Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation Team (START) service quality-improvement project.

Contact Information

Academic inquiries, or partnership opportunities, please contact:

Allie Singers, Administrative Assistant

Division of Substance Use Health
Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 613-544-3400 ext. 4015