Pubdate: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 The Sudbury Star Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608 Author: Eli Schuster Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) FUNDING SHORTFALL FORCES MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DETOX CENTRES TO MERGE Temporary Move Could Hurt Women Trying To Kick Habits, Experts Say Life - In an effort to save money, the Northeast Mental Health Centre will temporarily merge its men's and women's detox facilities at Pinegate Addiction Services. However, some mental health professionals in the Sudbury area say the move could make it harder for women to kick their drug and alcohol addictions. "Men and women just shouldn't be together at a detox facility," said Helen Shewchuk, a former chairwoman of the Mental Health and Addictions Committee of the District Health Council. 'Women don't want it' "The women don't want it and I don't think it's a good thing for the community." Currently, the Northeast Mental Health Centre runs Pinegate Addiction Services at 366 Pine St. It also runs the Pinegate Women's Withdrawal Management Centre, which operates as a separately facility, also at 366 Pine St. However, from Jan. 6 to March 31, Pinegate will merge its men's and women's detox facilities into one location. Pinegate's director, Jean-Guy Levesque, could not be reached for comment. However, in a written statement, the Northeast Mental Health Centre said the measure is needed to help control costs. "The primary option to address the deficit is the temporary co-location of the men's and women's withdrawal management services for a period of 12 weeks," the statement said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom