ADDICTION CENTRE OPEN AGAIN AFTER STAFF SHORTAGE

Addicts Had Been Sent Home After Crisis Specialist Called In Sick

The Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre reopened its doors to clients
at 8 a.m. yesterday, less than 12 hours after 20 substance abusers
were asked to leave due to a staffing shortage.

The clients, who suffer from drug and alcohol addictions, had to
leave the centre shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday when a staff member
called in sick and no replacement could be found.

"People call in sick," said Kristine Pearce, the centre's manager.
"Illness is unpredictable and there's nothing else we can do."

Withdrawal management centres in Ontario are required to have at
least two addiction crisis specialists working at all times, said Ms.
Pearce. The Ottawa centre has 22 crisis workers on its staff, but
only one could fill the Wednesday night shift.

This is the second time in about a month that the Ottawa Withdrawal
Management Centre, which is run by Monfort Renaissance, a branch of
the Montfort Hospital, has had to close its doors due to a staffing shortage.

"It will definitely be looked into," said Ms. Pearce, about the
closures. "You learn from your mistakes and try to do something
different next time."

The 20 residents who were asked to leave the centre Wednesday night
were instructed either to go home, or the centre would try to find
them beds at other area shelters.

Despite the sudden closing, Ms. Pearce expected the centre would be
full again last night.