Chatham-Kent is giving the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance $500,000 towards the costs of building a proposed 10-bed residential withdrawal management unit.
The Health Alliance asked for the one-time donation during a deputation earlier this month.
Council did not discuss the $500,000 gift during recent budget deliberations, as the item wasn’t pulled for discussion during the deliberations, but councillors commented on the withdrawal management unit Wednesday night.
“$500,000 to help save lives is a small amount,” said Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, noting the withdrawal unit will eventually save police, ambulance, and hospital costs in the long run.
The $500,000 is coming out of municipal reserves, so there is no tax impact for taxpayers in this budget.
The proposed withdrawal unit would help those battling alcohol or drug addiction.
Alan Stevenson, Vice President of Mental Health & Addictions at the Health Alliance, says the bulk of the project involves relocating and modernizing two so-called “quiet rooms,” upgrading a therapy space and dining room, and additional cosmetic upgrades.
CKHA is looking to spend an estimated $1.2 million in total to make renovations to the unit, which will only be built on the contingent of yearly operating funding from the province.
CEO Lori Marshall says the municipal support goes a long way.
“I think that’s a very positive step for us to be able to signal to government and very hopeful for some news that could be coming out soon,” Marshall says. “This is a very needed program in our community. We look forward to being able to deliver on that and this helps us get one step closer.”
Marshall expects to know about any potential provincial contributions before March 31st.