KENORA – HEALTH – The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) in partnership with the Kenora Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) Advisory Committee, have determined the need for a MAP in the City of Kenora. To gather input from the community, the Kenora MAP Advisory Committee consulted health care providers, along with community planning and social services support organizations.
The MAP model selected in the City of Kenora was based on an environmental scan and literature review of existing models operating in Canada and internationally. The model focuses on evidence based practices from a number of jurisdictions, as well as a consideration of both the capacity and needs of the proposed client population.
The North West LHIN is funding Kenora’s MAP, which will operate through the Morningstar Centre at Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH).
MAP is a harm reduction approach involving the regular administration of alcohol in order to stabilize and moderate alcohol intake. Kenora’s MAP will provide 10 individuals with a safe and secure living situation to physically stabilize, relearn basic skills and reconnect with the community and their families. The program aims to reduce contact with police, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, overall health care costs, and improve participant’s quality of life.
A Harm Reduction Program such as the MAP is needed in Kenora due to:
- A large population with severe alcoholism and associated chronic issues;
- The needs of the population not being met through current services;
- Extreme housing issues in the community; and
- Traditional forms of treatment, such as withdrawal management or abstinence-based treatment, are not viable options.
The homeless and marginally housed population in Kenora, who live with chronic alcohol addictions will benefit from the MAP, as will those who have attempted other treatment programs without success.
The location of the program is vital to its success. The MAP builds upon the harm reduction programs and supports currently offered at the Morningstar Centre, including clinical staffing and supervision, a key element to MAP success.
“The North West LHIN is committed to supporting and advancing the Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) in the region of Kenora. It is a critical step in ensuring that people are connected to high quality harm reduction programs where they are needed. Northwestern Ontario will benefit from an integrated model of care that incorporates awareness, education, assessment, early intervention and long-term supports to improve the health outcomes for people living with mental health and addiction issues. The North West LHIN appreciates all of the community support that was received in the development of the Managed Alcohol Program and acknowledges the commitment of the groups and organizations that have contributed to its success,” said Laura Kokocinski, CEO, North West Local Health Integration Network.
“The Mental Health and Addiction Programs of Lake of the Woods District Hospital are a nationally accredited integrated system of community-based and hospital-based services. The MAP is an enhanced multidisciplinary health care intervention, which provides on-site physician assessments, nursing care, mental health and addiction therapist consultation and specialized attendance protocol. The Lake of the Woods District Hospital wishes to thank our community partners including law enforcement, mental health and addictions workers, legal services, the municipality, public health workers, and the North West LHIN for their tremendous support in bringing the Managed Alcohol Program to our citizens,” added Bruce Siciliano, Vice President Mental Health & Addiction Programs, Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
“We worked very hard with community partners and stakeholders to make the Managed Alcohol Program a reality, and our collective vision has gone through several iterations to arrive at the final product. Changes Recovery Homes is extremely pleased that those suffering from chronic alcohol addiction will begin to receive the support and services they need. We are grateful to the Morningstar Detox Centre for finding a pragmatic way to move forward with the funding available. We feel that there will be enormous benefits for both the clients and the whole community,” commented Michelle Queen, Executive Director, Changes Recovery Homes.
Quick Facts:
- The Integrated Health Service Plan IV 2016-2019 clearly states that integrating the system of care for mental health and addictions is a key priority for the North West LHIN.
- MAP is a type of harm reduction approach involving the regular administration of alcohol in order to stabilize and moderate alcohol intake.
- Current community programs are not meeting the needs of the residents.
- MAP is an evidence-based program.
- MAP typically includes the provision of safe housing and healthcare targeting the most severe chronic alcoholics who have unsuccessfully completed abstinence and other withdrawal management or addiction programs.
- Program results include reductions in:
- Alcohol use
- Days intoxicated
- Contact with police
- Incarceration
- Health care costs
- Emergency department visits
- Hospital admissions
- Missing health care appointments
- Kenora has a higher population living with severe alcoholism and chronic issues.
- Kenora’s MAP will provide 10 individuals with a safe and secure living situation to physically stabilize, relearn basic skills and reconnect with the community and their families.
- The program aims to reduce contact with police, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, overall health care costs, and improve participant’s quality of life.
- The MAP reduces binge drinking and the consumption of non-beverage alcohol found in personal hygiene products.
LEARN MORE – For more information on the North West LHIN please visit our website: www.northwestlhin.on.ca
