Progress Moving On CMHA's Downtown Harm Reduction Home

By Angela Gemmill

The Canadian Mental Health Association continues to look for a permanent location for its proposed wet shelter alcohol program in Sudbury.

This would provide treatment for those with addictions to alcohol in a downtown site.

Tina Ranta, Manager of what will be called the Harm Reduction Home, hopes to get things going this fall.

CMHA is working with the city to use the Annex in the old Larch Street police station for a temporary spot for a Managed Alcohol Day program.

Ranta reiterates this is a temporary approach to the services until they get a permanent location which would then provide 24-hour support.

The permanent spot would provide shelter housing for those who need it, while also providing treatment for their alcohol addictions.

Seven staff members have been hired and are undergoing training, which included a visit to a similar facility in Ottawa.

The North East LHIN has already set aside a million dollars towards the home.