To meet the increasing need, the Chatham-Health Alliance is expanding addiction-based services to the hospital in Wallaceburg.
The Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinic provides provides low barrier access for residents 16 and older seeking treatment and support for any substance use disorder.
“Since its launch in 2019, our Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinic has helped fill the gap in harm reduction resources locally,” says CEO Lori Marshall. “Operating an additional clinic day out of our Wallaceburg Site will further our delivery of patient-centred addiction care and reaffirms our commitment to program and service delivery at this site.”
Services include brief counselling and support, medications for opioid and alcohol use, naloxone kits, and referrals to community services, among other things.
“The RAAM model of care provides evidence-based treatment quickly and follows patients closely along the care pathway,” Alan Stevenson, Vice President of Mental Health and Addictions says. “This model has proven to have a significant impact on addressing addiction-related conditions.”
The Wallaceburg clinic will run Tuesdays from noon until 4pm. The Chatham clinic will continue to operate four days a week at its current Emma Street site.
