Addiction service program gets funding cut

A provincial pilot program in the district is so successful that Ontario is reducing its funding to pay to have the program in the rest of the province, says the chair of the social administration board.

Coun. Iain Angus, chair of The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, said a new study commissioned by the board shows the need for investment in addiction services has never been higher. Despite that report the province is going to cut funding to Ontario Works Addiction Services by up to 39 per cent in 2011.

Angus said while the province is cutting $340,000 to the district program, the social cost will be around $3.42 million every year for the District of Thunder Bay to deal with the increase in addicts at hospitals, by police and other social service agencies.

"The province has indicated to us that it’s been so successful that the good news is they’re going to offer it in every area throughout the province, which is an important step," Angus said. "The bad news is, in order to pay for it they’re reducing what we’ve been getting by about $340,000 a year. What that means is we’re going to have to reduce services, not as many people on the Ontario Works rolls will be helped and society as a whole will see a cost of about $3.42 million a year. We’re not happy."

The program, in place since 2001, assesses addicts on Ontario Works on an individual basis to find out what the underlying problems are and get them in touch with the proper agencies said Angus.

"Instead of treating the symptoms which is the addiction we want to treat the root causes and help them get on with their lives and be healthier people," Angus said.

The councillor added that Ontario needs to fund the program properly to help those in need. Thunder Bay DSSAB officials say they’ve heard through media that the province thinks they’re wrong and that adding the program to all of Ontario will help more people.

"Quite frankly that’s true but in terms of the Thunder Bay district fewer people will be helped because of the cut of the dollars," said Angus.

Local MPPs could not be reached for comment.