The waiting list to get into the city’s only solvent abuse treatment centre has doubled in the past year, causing many who are seeking help to be turned away.
The Ka-Na-Chi-Hih treatment centre on Dease Street offers help for those with solvent abuse issues. The not-for-profit organization has six bedrooms split between two residents as they go through the programming.
The programming can last years as clients go through the rehabilitation program.
Because of those longer stays 40 more people are on the waiting list this year compared to last year.
Jessica Wilhelm, a manager at Ka-Na-Chi-Hih, said they’re adding more to the list weekly.
“Last year we were at an average around 18 or 19 people,” she said.
“It’s doubling because people are utilizing our phase two of our programming, which can last up to two years. Many don’t want to return to their communities and want to stay in Thunder Bay. A lot of the time when people want to come to treatment it is fairly urgent.”
Wilhelm said phase two addresses a specific issue that the client wants to improve upon, which is why it can take longer. Many clients also take the time to go to school or take job skills training.
For those looking to enroll in the treatment centre, Wilhelm often tells them they could wait anywhere from between two to eight weeks.
She said it is common for those who are waiting to get into the treatment centre to end up in jail or even commit suicide.
She said she feels terrible to turn people away who need help.
“A lot of other treatment programs don’t accept solvent users,” she said.
“That’s why we’re specialized. I’m very happy that a lot of our guys want to utilize phase two but unfortunately, for the people that really need to come here on an emergency basis, it’s harder for them to get a bed.”
Wilhelm said that they would like to have an aftercare treatment centre in the city but so far, no plans have been made.
She added that Ka-Na-Chi-Hih will be hosting an awareness walk in September.
