Ontario to provide much needed support to fight addictions and help recovery
The Ontario government is investing $4.2 million through the new Addictions Recovery Fund to immediately enhance access to addictions treatment supports in Sioux Lookout. This funding will be provided to the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation to expand access to a total of 37 new addictions treatment beds and help hundreds of Ontarians in Sioux Lookout and the surrounding region access specialized addictions treatment.
“Our government remains steadfast in our work to provide Ontarians in the North with access to effective and culturally sensitive mental health and addictions services as close to home as possible,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Investing in mental health and addictions services in Sioux Lookout is just one more way our government is continuing to support vulnerable populations across the province with high-quality mental health and addictions care that addresses their unique needs on their journey to recovery.”
The Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord was founded in 2017 and is an agreement between Cat Lake First Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Slate Falls First Nation, and Kichenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, as well as the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. Funding through the new Addictions Recovery Fund will provide access to 15 new addictions treatment beds, 16 supportive treatment beds, and six withdrawal management beds.
Studies have shown that opioid-related deaths surged by 79 per cent during the first two waves of the pandemic, with rates being three times higher in Northern Ontario. To meet the demand for treatment, the new Addictions Recovery Fund will support almost 400 new addictions treatment beds across the province, helping to stabilize and provide care for approximately 7,000 clients per year. This includes clients in northern, rural and Indigenous communities. Addictions Recovery Fund investments in other addictions services and supports across the province include:
- Eight new Youth Wellness Hubs offering developmentally tailored primary care and mental health and addictions treatment for youth ages 12 to 25;
- Two new Mobile Mental Health Clinics to provide a full suite of mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in remote, rural and underserved communities;
- Three new police-partnered Mobile Crisis Response Teams to support individuals in a mental health or addictions crisis;
- Support for Indigenous-led land-based healing services; and
- Additional community supports including day/evening intensive treatment, mild to moderate intensive treatment, and after-care programs.
“Every year, more than one million people in Ontario experience a mental health or addictions challenge,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “That’s why our government is continuing to fulfill our commitment of making mental health and addictions a priority by investing in targeted addictions services.”
“Our government continues to make significant investments in high-quality addictions care across Northwestern Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “Today’s $4.2 million investment for 37 new addictions treatment beds will allow the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord to continue the critical work that they do as they help hundreds of people from communities across the region.”
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