Municipal leaders in northwestern Ontario are looking to the province for help in dealing with the increase in addictions cases.
They say a lack of treatment beds and supportive housing has forced corrections to act as a stopgap measure for those with addictions issues.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says this issue has their attention.
“I can assure you that we’re looking at it [using] a multi-ministerial approach. Of course, [Mental Health and Addictions] Minister [Michael] Tibollo is leading much of the discussion and determinations about where treatment beds and facilities are most needed,” she says.
Jones hopes recent funding to the region’s social services administration boards for homelessness will help.
She feels that housing is often the missing piece.
“Even when we have individuals who are willing to continue treatment post leaving a corrections facility, we need to make sure that they have safe housing and an ability to continue that in the community,” she explains.
