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