Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2014
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2014 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Teresa Wright

CURRIE FACES QUESTIONS ON UNSPENT $1M FOR ADDICTIONS, MENTAL
HEALTH

Minister Defends His Record On Actions Taken To Address Addiction
Epidemic

Less than 24 hours after 100 Islanders held a tearful rally for more
addictions services, Health Minister Doug Currie faced questions about
why he left $ 1 million unspent in his addictions and mental health
budget last year.

Opposition MLA James Aylward asked Currie Wednesday how he would
explain this unspent money to family members of addicted Islanders who
shared their difficult and painful stories on the steps of Province
House Wednesday evening.

A total of $ 773,100 left unspent in addictions services in 2013, and
another $ 219,300 not spent in community mental health.

"It's not this house you have to explain it to, it's the thousands of
people struggling with addictions and mental health that you have to
come clean with," Aylward said.

"Minister, how do you explain leaving $ 1 million on the table to the
families who stood on the front steps of Province House last night
begging for more support?"

Currie defended his record on actions taken to address the growing
epidemic of addiction, notably involving prescription drugs in P. E.
I.

"Access to services in addictions and mental health is a priority,"
Currie said. "We are committed to moving this agenda forward and
continuing to respond to the needs and being better, and my commitment
is on that."

He wouldn't say on the floor of the legislature why his department had
underspent in the addictions and community mental health budgets, but
later told reporters it was due to staff moving to other areas of the
health system.

"It's all salary-related," Currie said.

He acknowledged that sometimes beds at the detox facility at Mount
Herbert are not occupied but cannot be used for patients due to
staffing shortages, notably in nursing.

"In some areas of addictions, it's a little more challenging to
attract particularly nurses to positions, so that does at times have
an impact, there's no question," Currie said.

But he alluded Wednesday to new investments that will soon be
announced on this file based on recent recommendations from the
province's chief mental health and addictions officer, Dr. Rhonda Matters.

"Actually, as early as this morning we are finalizing recommendations
to the next level of investment on ( Matters') recommendations to
myself as the minister of health," Currie said, adding she will not be
releasing a report on the extensive review she is currently doing of
mental health and addictions, but rather only providing
recommendations directly to the minister.

"We will be announcing more initiatives and more announcements to
continue to address the needs of Islanders and improving access in
various areas of mental health and addictions, keeping in mind mental
health and addictions is a very important area, but we also have other
demanding pressure points in our health-care system that also need
attention."

But Aylward continued to press Currie on how he could have left $ 1
million unspent in his budget last year while talking so much about
addictions and mental health being priorities.

"How do you explain leaving $ 1 million on the table to the mothers
and fathers of this Island who lie awake at night wondering if their
son or daughter, who is struggling with addictions, will make it home
tonight?"

Dianne Young, who organized the protest Tuesday evening and whose son
is believed to have taken his own life due to prescription drug
addiction, said Wednesday she is disappointed in the responses she has
seen from government.

"We gave him the solution we need a unit at the hospital, more beds
more doctors and nurses, etc.," she said.

"He is passing the buck on to Dr. Matters ... let's hope she will stand
up and do the right thing and get a long term treatment centre here
right away."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D