Health Centre in Downtown Fort William Seeks to Treat Opiate Addiction

THUNDER BAY – The Joseph Esquaga Health Centre has opened in the downtown Fort William – south side of Thunder Bay. The clinic is seeking to reach out to the community in Thunder Bay and beyond working on areas of healthcare but with a specific look at opioid addiction.

The Health Centre offers stigma-free care in an environment that offers support to people who are looking to overcome addiction. The Centre offers what is called “Bridges”, a community-based program linking individuals suffering from Opiate addiction but reaching out to full health care, including family medicine, dental care, a chronic pain clinic.

The Centre opened today with a grand opening featuring drumming, a hotdog barbecue, and brought in a crowd of people.

The Health Centre is located at 401 Donald Street East, at the corner of Donald and Simpson Street.

One of the onlookers commented, “This is exactly what the neighbourhood needs”.

Mayor Hobbs expressed how the clinic was “My old stomping grounds” and shared how that was the building that the Thunder Bay Police once used for wiretaps.

The clinic’s grand opening today points to another step forward in Thunder Bay toward treating addiction issues right where the people have the greatest need.

Thunder Bay has a major problem with addiction, and by bringing medicine and treatment right to the downtown it is likely the clinic will have a great impact.