Pubdate: Sat, 29 Nov 2014
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Page: A3
Copyright: 2014, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Tyler Kula

WIDE DRAW FOR WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT

People From As Far As Chatham-Kent Using Withdrawal Management
Services In Sarnia- Lambton

About one-third of people seeking help for addictions through
Sarnia-Lambton's new withdrawal management program have been referred
to an out-of-town residential care facility, a hospital executive says.

"Personally, I'm not surprised," said Lynda Robinson, vice-president
of operations at Bluewater Health, noting 150 people have used day and
community programs in Sarnia-Lambton since they began in April.

"That's because of the findings as part of our business case and
understanding the need," said Robinson, who also chairs the
Residential Building Project Steering Committee that's planning for a
16-bed, 24/7 facility in Sarnia as the final piece of the local
withdrawal management puzzle.

Those business plan findings include a local Hepatitis C rate twice
the Ontario average, a rising number of emergency department visits
for substance-related disorders, and a rising trend of dangerous drug
use, including Fentanyl patches.

Even before the project began about 100 people from the Sarnia-Lambton
area traveled to London and Windsor for residential withdrawal
management and addiction treatment services.

The disease of addiction is complex, health officials have said, with
almost two thirds of people grappling with mental illness also
addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Program workers so far have encountered complex cases involving
multiple drugs, Robinson said.

"It's not a single substance: it's alcohol and a drug, or a multi-drug
kind of thing," she said.

Alcohol is seen most frequently, she said, followed by marijuana,
narcotics and crystal methamphetamine.

Program users include people from across Sarnia-Lambton, including all
local First Nations communities, and as far away as Chatham-Kent, she
said.

"People, once they're aware of the program, they're reaching out and
seeking help wherever they can get it."

Estimates are 420 people will use day and community programs in a
year.

All of that data is useful for planning for the yet-unpriced
withdrawal management facility, a location for which hasn't been
determined yet, Robinson said.

A functional plan is in the works that specifies space requirements
and hopes are to submit it to the Erie St. Clair Local Health
Integration Network (LHIN) in January, she said.

With the regional healthcare oversight body's endorsement, the
submission would then go to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
for approval.

At that point community engagement sessions will be held to begin the
master planning process - another three to four months, Robinson said.

"That's when you're actually designing the layout of the rooms, what
is within the entry, that type of thing," she said, noting the process
is moving well and quickly.

Her timeline expectations haven't changed, she said, although she said
in September that functional planning would be done "within the next
couple months."

Full program operation, including the residential centre, is pegged at
$1.9 million, funded through the LHIN.

The LHIN and Lambton County have each also pledged $250,000 for the
building and planning process.  
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D