FUNDING SHORTFALL FORCES MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DETOX CENTRES TO MERGE

Temporary Move Could Hurt Women Trying To Kick Habits, Experts Say

Life - In an effort to save money, the Northeast Mental Health Centre will
temporarily merge its men's and women's detox facilities at Pinegate
Addiction Services.

However, some mental health professionals in the Sudbury area say the move
could make it harder for women to kick their drug and alcohol addictions.

"Men and women just shouldn't be together at a detox facility," said Helen
Shewchuk, a former chairwoman of the Mental Health and Addictions Committee
of the District Health Council.

'Women don't want it'

"The women don't want it and I don't think it's a good thing for the
community."

Currently, the Northeast Mental Health Centre runs Pinegate Addiction
Services at 366 Pine St.

It also runs the Pinegate Women's Withdrawal Management Centre, which
operates as a separately facility, also at 366 Pine St.

However, from Jan. 6 to March 31, Pinegate will merge its men's and women's
detox facilities into one location.

Pinegate's director, Jean-Guy Levesque, could not be reached for comment.
However, in a written statement, the Northeast Mental Health Centre said
the measure is needed to help control costs.

"The primary option to address the deficit is the temporary co-location of
the men's and women's withdrawal management services for a period of 12
weeks," the statement said.