Executive Council
Health and Community Services
October 6, 2006

Premier Turns Sod for New Provincial Addictions Treatment Centre

Government is strengthening services for persons suffering from addictions in the province with a new provincial treatment centre to be constructed in Corner Brook. The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today turned the sod on the future site of the new Humberwood Provincial Addictions Treatment Centre. Government announced its commitment to a new provincial addictions treatment centre as part of Budget 2006.

The Premier was joined by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services; Charles Pender, Mayor of Corner Brook; Tina Moores, Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees, Western Health; the Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East and Kathy Goudie, MHA for Humber Valley.

"The devastating impact of addictions on individuals and families is a serious concern for our government and we are committed to strengthening resources and improving infrastructure to assist persons struggling with addictions," said Premier Williams. "This centre will meet the immediate inpatient treatment needs and provide capacity to respond to future service demands for adults in the western region and the entire province."

The new facility will provide an enhanced treatment program including a non-medical detox program, which will allow for seamless transfer from detox to treatment, and will incorporate clients who are in the latter stages of detox, allowing for a better opportunity for rehabilitation.

The physical structure of the new facility will incorporate modern and more private accommodations and include required space for fitness, recreation, dining and group therapy areas. Additionally, the facility will provide office and counselling space for the 13 addictions counsellors responsible for the outpatient program in Corner Brook.

"This new treatment centre will offer complete rehabilitative services in comfortable surroundings to any resident of the province requiring inpatient treatment to deal with addictions," said Minister Osborne. "Furthermore, the additional office space will enable us to centralize addiction services in one location and will provide an integrated service delivery program for persons suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

Government invested $1.1 million in Budget 2006 for the planning, design, and construction of the new centre to replace the current 10-bed residential provincial inpatient treatment facility. The estimated total project cost is $3 million. A tender call was issued for the design and construction of the new facility on September16, 2006. The tender will close in mid-October and the review of the tender bids is anticipated shortly thereafter. Site preparation on the new facility is expected to commence by November 2006, with occupancy expected within 24 months thereafter.

"This is another wonderful example of an initiative that was brought to fruition

through the commitment and dedication of stakeholders at all levels in the best interests of the people of our province who need this service," said Dr. Tony Genge, chair of the Board of Trustees for Western Health. "We are thrilled to share in this good news today."

"The Humberwood Centre provides vital services to residents of the province struggling with addictions," said Minister Marshall. "This new $3 million provincial addictions centre located in Corner Brook will ensure that health care professionals have the appropriate facility and tools to treat and assist individuals from across Newfoundland and Labrador with their addictions. Along with the new long-term care facility being constructed in Corner Brook, this is another example of government�s commitment to providing quality health care services throughout our region."

"I am so very pleased with this new facility, which will be of tremendous benefit to the people of our province who battle various additions," said Kathy Goudie, MHA for the District of Humber Valley. "It further illustrates our government�s commitment to the health and well-being of our residents, because the mere accessibility to prevention and treatment services is crucial to achieve this goal."

In addition to the development of the new provincial addictions treatment centre, government invested $1 million in Budget 2006 to add nine new addictions counsellors across the province for primary prevention and treatment of addictions, and to respond to needs identified in the Gambling Prevalence Study released last fall. Additionally, government launched two public awareness campaigns this year to target addictions including Get Up on It, a campaign educating youth about the risks associated with gambling and substance abuse and a television advertising campaign aimed at educating the public about the risks associated with problem gambling, particularly related to VLT use.

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Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews
Director or Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 351-1227
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2006 10 06                                                        12:55 p.m.


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