SUDBURY — The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million through the new Addictions Recovery Fund to immediately enhance access to addictions treatment supports at Monarch Recovery Services, located in Sudbury. This funding will provide access to a total of 15 new addictions treatment beds and help hundreds of Ontarians in Sudbury and the surrounding region access specialized addictions treatment.
“Now more than ever, it is important to ensure that everyone can access the safe and effective mental health and addictions services they deserve – when and where they need them,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Investing in mental health and addictions services in Northern Ontario, like those offered at Monarch Recovery Services, is just one more way our government is ensuring all Ontarians have access to the high-quality mental health and addictions care that meet their unique needs and have opportunities for treatment and recovery.”
Monarch Recovery Services offers addiction services and supports for Ontarians aged 16 and over including recovery, treatment, and aftercare programs. Funding through the new Addictions Recovery Fund will provide access to six new withdrawal management services beds, four new addictions treatment beds, and five new supportive treatment beds.
Studies have shown that opioid-related deaths surged by 79 per cent during the first two waves of the pandemic, with rates being three times higher in Northern Ontario. To meet the demand for treatment, the new Addictions Recovery Fund will support almost 400 new addictions treatment beds across the province, helping to stabilize and provide care for approximately 7,000 clients per year. This includes clients in northern, rural and Indigenous communities. Addictions Recovery Fund investments in other addictions services and supports across the province include:
- Six new Youth Wellness Hubs offering developmentally tailored primary care and mental health and addictions treatment for youth ages 12 to 25;
- Two new Mobile Mental Health Clinics to provide a full suite of mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in remote, rural and underserved communities;
- Three new police-partnered Mobile Crisis Response Teams to support individuals in a mental health or addictions crisis;
- Support for Indigenous-led land-based healing services; and
- Additional community supports including day/evening intensive treatment, mild to moderate intensive treatment, and after-care programs.
“Every year, more than one million people in Ontario experience a mental health or addictions challenge,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “That’s why our government is continuing to fulfill our commitment of making mental health and addictions a priority by investing in targeted addictions services.”
“Our government recognizes the importance of making substantial investments in high-quality addictions care across Northeastern Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “Today’s $2.5 million investment for 15 new addictions treatment beds shows that our government is committed to improving the health of communities within the Sudbury region.”