DETOX CENTRE SEEKS MONEY TO EXPAND

Councillor Alex Munter is asking provincial Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
to put his money where his mouth is and give Ottawa's detox centre its
first funding increase in 10 years.

Flaherty came under attack last month after stating homeless people with
drug or alcohol problems "pose a danger to themselves and others" and said
extra police would be hired to ensure that the homeless have other
alternatives to living on the streets, such as crisis shelters, hospitals
or even jail. He said he also wants to provide treatment for those who are
mentally ill or battling addictions.

The Ottawa detox centre, known as the Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre,
operates on a first come, first served basis and sees about 4,000 people
every year. The centre holds only 26 beds, which results in up to 100
people being turned away each month.

Munter recently sent a letter to Flaherty saying that if he is truly
serious about helping the homeless, he will provide Ottawa's only detox
centre with more funds than its current budget of about $854,000 so it can
continue to offer its services to those who need it most.

"The detox centre ends up helping some of the most down and out folks in
the community," said Munter. "But it can't handle those already there, let
alone the ones that Mr. Flaherty wants to frog-march in there."

Virginia Hamilton, executive director of the detox centre, said while the
centre's funding has not increased, other expenses such as food and
building operation costs have gone up considerably.

"We're doing our very best to rise to the challenge of those coming to us,
but not having an increase in the last 10 years is really starting to be
felt," Hamilton said.

She said the detox centre, which employs 24 staff, offers addiction
counselling, support and shelter to its residents.

"We are the only centre of this nature in Ottawa," Hamilton said. "We want
more support to ensure we can continue to provide the services we do and
the quality we're known for."

Dan Robinson, Flaherty's campaign spokesperson, would not comment
specifically on Ottawa's detox centre, but said the minister will
definitely follow through on his plans to help the homeless.

"Right now there's no recourse to get people off the street who have a
severe drug and alcohol problem, " Robinson said. "Mr. Flaherty is
committed to providing funding and resources which would allow those living
in the street to get help," Robinson said.

But Flaherty's critics argue he is trying to make homelessness illegal.
Munter agrees that his plan of sweeping the homeless off the street is
"silly and impractical" but said it could result in a positive outcome by
drawing attention to the large number of people living on the street.

"What it has done is generate a debate about solutions for the homeless,"
said Munter. "If there's any degree of credibility in what he says, then we
will see more funding."