Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225

KEEP DETOX CENTRE OPEN

The temporary closing of the detox centre associated with Grand River 
Hospital in Kitchener should be of great concern to Waterloo Region's 
residents and political leaders. This closing is unacceptable.

Of course, there are financial reasons to explain the centre's decision to 
shut its doors during July and August. There is a $76,000 difference 
between the centre's revenues and its expenses. Although the detox centre 
is based on its own budget, it is interesting to note that the amount it 
needs is only a fraction of the hospital's total base budget, which hovers 
around the $150-million mark.

Financial arguments, however, will mean little to a person with a severe 
alcohol or drug problem when the centre is closed. Furthermore, they will 
mean little to people such as police officers, doctors and social workers 
who are trying to help those who have an alcohol or drug problem.

Significantly, Carolyne Hooper, Grand River's corporate director of 
psychiatric and mental health programs, has said that provincial funding 
for the program hasn't increased in the past six years. Costs, however, are 
not subject to the same freeze.

The detox building isn't just a Kitchener facility or even a Waterloo 
Region facility. It also serves residents of Wellington and Dufferin counties.

One wonders in taking this drastic action if the detox centre is trying to 
send a message to Queen's Park that goes beyond the immediate financial 
crisis. The centre's budget clearly needs a fundamental review.

To be fair, it should be stressed that Grand River's emergency ward will be 
able to refer people who would normally go to the detox centre to centres 
in Hamilton, London or Brampton. This is assuming that people in need of 
assistance would go to the emergency ward if they know the local detox 
centre is closed.

In the absence of a better solution, regional police may be inclined during 
the summer to put people with problems in cells for a few hours. This, too, 
is unacceptable. Alcohol abuse and drug overdoses are medical, not 
criminal, problems.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens