Health Minister marks Recovery Month in North Bay

September is Recovery Month and Ontario’s Health Minister marked the occasion in North Bay this morning (Monday).

Christine Elliott toured North Bay Recovery Home, which has been offer professional assistance to people with alcohol or drug dependencies since 1969.

As the province finalizes it’s plan for their mental health and addictions program, Elliott says they’re looking for innovative solutions around the province, including locally.

“They don’t have a large budget but they’re doing wonderful things with what they have, in stretching services, to make sure people are cared for while they are here at the Recovery Home, but also once they finish the program and go back into the community,” she says.

Elliott says there are still issues around wait times for service, including about a nine month wait locally.

“I know that is something the home is working on, to try and provide some supports to people as they are waiting, but there’s a need here, there’s a need across the province and that’s something we are paying a lot of attention to,” she says.

The province has committed to investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system.

Elliott was joined by Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Nipissing, and Natalia Kusendova, MPP for Mississauga Centre at today’s tour.

(Photos by station staff)