Sarnia's mayor is thrilled with Tuesday's provincial announcement of $12 million in one time funding for a permanent withdrawal management facility.
Community stakeholders have been advocating for a permanent site for over a decade, and it's finally coming to fruition.
Mike Bradley said there's no doubt that addiction services are needed now more than ever, especially during the COVID pandemic.
"They have skyrocketed right across this country, and that has compounded the addiction issue," said Bradley. "This is a brand new day, a bright new day and we can start to work, as we exit COVID, to deal with the people and help them that are addicted. That's something we couldn't do in the past."
Bradley said it was a great collaborative community effort.
"The community came together, business, labour, First Nations and others to say 'we need it and we need it now'," he said. "With the big increase in addictions through the COVID era, it's needed now more than ever. It's most welcome, and now we can get on with the new facility. There's no rezoning needed, I understand."
The centre will include a 24-bed facility, clinical space for programs, treatment and all existing Bluewater Health addiction outpatient services.
It will be located in the currently vacated wing that runs along Russell Street and London Road, adjacent to Bluewater Health’s Russell Street building.
