Brantford Detox/Rehabilitation Information Gathering Session
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Brantford Detox/Rehabilitation Information Gathering Session February 7, 2012 - Laurier Brantford . DAL-007 - 8:30 am -12:00 pm Enclosed you will find information regarding the very successful session I held on February 7'", regarding the interest in having a detoxlrehabilitation centre in Brant. To provide some background, I have been hearing form my constituents for some time now regarding the lack of a centre closer to Brant for detoxification and rehabilitation services. Much needed service and resources that if more readily available, could help even more people in our immediate and surrounding communities. It was while campaigning last year that I heard truly inspiring, and sometimes painful, stories about the lack of these services in the area, and where people had to go to get the help they need. What I was unable to ascertain is if any public meetings or gatherings have been held to discuss this type of facility here in Brant - both good or bad, for those for or against. Furthermore, until the meeting of February 7'", no one community agency had publicly come forward to champion this kind of facility in the area. We discovered at the meeting that St. Leonard's Society, in partnership with the Brant Community Healthcare System is applying for funding in order to do a needs assessment - a powerful first step in realizing a centre in Brant. The participation of the day was awe inspiring for me. With 13 speakers and 48 additional guests, the approximately 61 who attended spanned the riding. We were honoured to hear about certain agencies that have already started in-ground work on this kind of facility, as well as listening to folks who have faced addiction and were kind enough to share their story with perfect strangers in hopes that their experience would help others. The information that was provided is truly awesome raw data for anyone who is looking to use it in order to further their agenda is placing a detoxlrehabilitation centre in Brant. Enclosed is the information pre and post meeting, as well as a 'Speaker List' and a complete package of the information that was provided to my office both on the day, as well as shortly thereafter. Again, I hope this raw source material will be helpful for those who require additional information for their business plan. If I can be of any help additionally please feel free to contact my office at the numbers or emaii provided. Respectfully, Index: Letter of Introduction 1. Press Releases and News Clippings 2. Dan McCreary - Rosewood House 3. Bill McLaughlin - Activist and Concerned Citizen 4. Marc Laferriere - Local Therapist and Social Worker 5. David Neumann - Brantford Task Force on Community Safety and Crime Prevention 6. Gayle Myke - Concerned Citizen w/Personal Experience 7. Jyoti Kapur - St. Leonard's Society 8. Randy Schelhas - Concerned Citizen and Local Activist 9. Susan Evenden - Public Health Safety & Social Services 10. Carrie Sinkowski - Sexual Assault Centre 11. Trevor Beecraft - Why Not City Missions 12. Dianna Boal - BRAVE Committee 13. Rick Skouin - Professional Addictions Councilor * Please find the corresponding source materials with the number Dave Levac, MPP ~ Brant Ontario MPP Dave Levac Hosts Informational Session Levac Leads Talks In Detoxification And Rehabilitation Centre Brantford - Although no one certainly plans on becoming addicted, addiction is stealthy; it has a hold of you without even knowing how it happened. Today in Brantford, MPP Dave Levac brought together leading area experts in addiction and mental health, local politicians, social service experts and members of the public for an information gathering session to talk about the need of establishing an addiction detoxification and rehabilitation centre in Brantlord. "I have heard a lot about what constituents in Brant feel about detox centres, and those missing pieces that we need to explore," said MPP Dave Levac. "The reason for this informational session is to ensure we have a mandate from the public to move forward ....the community should be fully engaged." In order to engage with the community, MPP Dave Levac set up an information session to hear from all interested stakeholders their opinions and thoughts on establishing a detoxification and rehabilitation centre in Brantford. Today's strong attendance of representatives of local agencies, residents, community groups, and those that have raised the alarm over addiction needs in our neighbourhoods is a sign that action is required. "The message was loud; addiction is a growing problem in our community that needs immediate action," exclaimed Levac. "What we need now is a group of "champions" to take what we heard today and move it to a plan of action ....1 am committing to work with whoever takes the lead." Levac brought forward the idea of establishing the need for a dedicated detoxification and rehabilitation centre as Brant area stakeholders have voiced their concerns over the dangers of addiction on area families and individuals. --A public-report outlining-theinformation-gathered during the session will be available to those willing to bring forward the idea of a detoxification and rehabilitation centre to its next stage. -30- Contact: Tina Draycott 519-759-0361 [email protected] 96 Nelson Street, Unit 101, Brantford, ON N3T 2Nl •T - (519) 759-0361 F - (5I9) 759-6439 E - [email protected] Detox centre 'beacon of hope' for city By Hugo Rodrigues Updated 2 days ago Brant MPP Dave Levac fought back tears Tuesday morning as he offered thanks to participants in an information meeting for a residential detoxifjcaUon~rehabJlitalion facility. "This has been a recognition to families and individuals who are addicted," said Levac, who convened the multi·sectof meeting. "When you see it personally, within your family, you realize thai when a community comes together it's the only way you can succeed It's important for us to put everything aside thallells us we can't win. " The heartfelt thanks closed three hours of presentations and sharing from various players and people who help the addicted with their struggles In this community. "When you see it personally, within your family, you realize that when a community comes together It's the only way you can succeed." Brant MPP Dave Levac Each spoke consistenlJy to a missing piece of the addiction-treatment and recovery puzzle for people living in Brantford-Brant: a residential facility based in this region. The face of addiction is one seen every day In the region as each speaker provided information and anecdotes of this reality that can at once be staring us in the face and slip past us unnoticed. It's multi-generational. It's motivation for the vast majority of property crimes. lis impact on domestic violence can make the difference between life and death. Its linkages to poverty, While strong, don't define its victims. Yet several presenters spoke of hope. 81. Leonard's Jyoti Kapur and Ihe Srant Communily Healthcare System's Kate Hogarth told the crowd of ajoint submission for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to do a needs assessment. That will help define what sort of programs should be offered at the facility and how many people it could help. Anolher ray of hope came from Why Not Youth Centre's Trevor Seecraft, who noted how Brant-Brantford support agencies, without a local residential detox-rehab facility in place, have adapted to the point those changes strengthen the case for a centre. "A local detox centre won't change perceptions ... but il would be a continual reminder assistance is at hand: Beecraft said. "IN.e hOl1/1;> amazing --';ag,ce'n"creslnaFare prepared and ready. We'reouC611Fi8startTng gale' an((\'laiITngfoi'"thegun.;'-······· - He also touched on what could be the biggest hill to climb locally on bringing a detox-rehab facility to town-location. "I don't want to see It In our backyard either; I want to see il in our front yard ... It's a beacon of hope,' said Seecraft. "We're already in Ihe front yard~ don't put it in the backyard and make people have to flOd it." Adding a personal touch, Randy Schelhas and Arts After School Kids' executive direclor Gail Myke spoke of their own struggles through addiction. Both lived the experience of not having a residential facility in the locai area, adding their names and struggle to those supporting the concept. Levac promised more meellngs and consultation as the proposal keeps moving forward. [email protected] Iwitler,com/EXPHugo Community members discuss detox centre http://www.brantnews.com/news/community-members-organizations-discuss-detox-centrel Februray 10, 2012 Sean Allen BRANT NEWS Presenters from many sectors in Branltord strongly agree with the idea that the city needs its own detoxification and rehabilitation centre to deal with addiction. During a session on Tuesday morning at Laurier Branltord, more than a dozen presentations were delivered by a cross-section of community members and organizations, including experts, social agencies, politicians and citizens, all brought together by MPP Dave Levac. "The message was loud," Levac said. "Addiction is a growing problem in our community that needs immediate action. What we need now is a group of champions to take what we heard and move it to a plan of action. I am committing to work with whoever takes the lead." Levac said the discussion has been ongoing for some time. "I still have constituents asking me why the waiting list is so long and in somebody else's city in order to get their son or daughter some help," he said. The stakeholder meeting was designed to gather information and put together a cohesive package that can be used in arguing for support from upper levels of government.