Pubdate: Thu, 26 Aug 2004
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Frank Landry

ADDICTS TO WAIT LONGER

Treatment Cut Back

Drug addicts and alcoholics will have to wait longer for treatment because 
of provincial budget cuts, says the head of the Addictions Foundation of 
Manitoba. John Borody said yesterday the foundation will be closing its 
14-bed primary-care unit in September because of provincial government 
cutbacks.

The unit treated people going through low-level withdrawal from alcohol and 
drugs such as crack cocaine.

WAITING LIST

Borody said patients with more serious addictions will be admitted to 
Health Sciences Centre, while others will be observed in another 28-bed 
unit contained within the AFM's facility on Portage Avenue. The 28-bed unit 
already has a waiting list of between two and three months, he said.

"We're hoping there's no client that's not going to be served," Borody 
said. "That's the main goal."

Funding to the foundation dropped to $15.8 million from $16 million in 
April's provincial budget. As a result, 10 jobs at the AFM are also being cut.

Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said the primary-care unit operated at 
less than 50% occupancy. There will be more than enough room for the 
patients that normally would go to the AFM at Health Sciences Centre, he said.

The province has also introduced more community-based programs to help 
addicts, including bringing outreach workers into more rural communities, 
Rondeau said.

Tory MLA Kelvin Goertzen said it was cruel of the Doer government to cut 
funding to the AFM.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart