INCREASE FUNDING FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT

Re: Article on Crime, Drug Abuse Linked, Nov. 11. The Providers of
Addiction Treatment in Windsor is a network of addiction treatment
providers serving Windsor-Essex County. We understand and share the
frustration of many in our community about the need for adequate
resources to address the treatment needs of people with alcohol and
drug addictions such as crack cocaine as mentioned in your article.

The Providers of Addiction Treatment (PAT) in Windsor Essex have
lobbied the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care for more resources
for addiction treatment in Windsor Essex particularly outpatient
resources and support programs, which currently represent the most
critical needs of our community. The addiction treatment system
requires investments.

In October 2005, PAT joined with addiction treatment networks in Kent
and Lambton and developed a statement on addiction treatment and
recommendations for the newly formed Erie-St Clair Local Health
Integrated Network (LHIN.) We have strongly recommended that
planning, funding, and policy decisions of the Erie -St.Clair LHIN
must demonstrate that addictions and mental health are integrated as
core components of the health care system. Chronic disease
management, a key priority in the LHIN Integrated health services
plan, must take into account the impacts of addictions. Investments
in addiction services are an investment in health of our population.

In the absence of significant investments in outpatient services and
support programs in Windsor-Essex, the status quo will remain with
continued marginalization of addictions in the health care system.

We support the government in the new investments made in mental
health, and now it is time for meaningful investments in our
addiction services.

Jenny Stranges

Chairperson

Providers of Addiction Treatment

Windsor-Essex