Withdrawal Management Program Approved for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

CHATHAM-KENT: February 17, 2022 – Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is pleased to share that its proposal for a 10-bed Withdrawal Management (WM) program has received approval from Ontario Health. Funding is part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to improve access to and quality of addictions services.

“Addiction and substance abuse can impact anyone, which is why it is so critical Chatham-Kent has the resources needed to combat it,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.  “Our government’s investment in the Withdrawal Management program at CKHA will ensure help is available to families when it’s needed most.”

“This a significant milestone for CKHA and Chatham-Kent in regards to evidence-based addiction care and recovery,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA. “I am so pleased that our proposal has received the green light and operational funding from Ontario Health and we can take our next steps towards implementing a 10-bed WM unit at CKHA.”

WM helps individuals who struggle with substance use, including drugs, alcohol, and/or prescription medications.  It is an evidence based, recovery-oriented, harm reduction approach to drug and alcohol addiction.  CKHA’s WM program will provide a supportive environment to enable safe withdrawal from substances and initiation of follow-up addictions treatment.

“We know the need for treatment and services provided by WM programs have risen, particularly since the onset of the pandemic,” said Alan Stevenson, Vice President, Mental Health and Addictions Program, CKHA.  “Having greater access to mental health and substance use support services locally is imperative for the health and well-being of our community.  The harm reduction and recovery-oriented approach offered through WM ensures a safe, supportive environment for individuals requiring these services.”

“The addition of a dedicated withdrawal management program will not only enable CKHA to provide the best and most appropriate care to people struggling with addictions, it will also reduce the pressure on our acute mental health inpatient program,” said Dr. Dele Oyebode, Chief of Psychiatry and Program Medical Director of Mental Health and Addictions Program, CKHA.

In the 2020/21 fiscal year, 186 Chatham-Kent residents were admitted to WM in Windsor or Sarnia – a 9% increase over the previous fiscal year.  In that same fiscal year, 562 patients were seen in the Chatham or Wallaceburg Emergency Department with a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder.   

“This is most welcome news for our area and eliminates barriers for individuals needing specialized treatment provided by a WM program,” said Alan Wildeman, Board Chair, CKHA. “Chatham-Kent is the only region in Southwestern Ontario that does not currently operate a WM facility; today’s announcement is a huge step for CKHA in providing these much needed services.”

Ultimately, the 10-bed unit will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at CKHA’s Chatham Site in the former outpatient mental health services building which currently houses administrative offices.  The organization’s Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic will also re-locate to this location once the renovations are complete.  The cost of renovations are estimated to be $1.1 million.  This announcement brings $100,000 in start -up for furnishings and equipment; CKHA must look to other sources for the remaining capital costs of the renovations.  While this construction is being completed, a 3-bed unit will be operated within the hospital and is expected to be accepting patients prior to March 31, 2022.

“The municipality is pleased to support the Withdrawal Management program at CKHA with a one-time contribution of $500,000. Members of Council know there is a significant need for greater access to patient-centred addiction care and recovery in Chatham-Kent. This program will provide a safe environment to receive these services locally and will also eliminate the burden of travel outside the municipality,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff, Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

“Our community stands to benefit tremendously from the Withdrawal Management program at CKHA.  As a Foundation, we are excited to be raising much-needed funds to support this brand new program.  Together, as a community, we can turn the tide in the battle against addiction here in Chatham-Kent,” said Mary Lou Crowley, President and CEO, CKHA Foundation.

Separate from this announcement, the redevelopment of the Wallaceburg hospital continues to progress, with the advocacy of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, Monte McNaughton.  (The Ministry of Health approved CKHA’s proposal for the redevelopment in late 2021).

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