January 22, 2014
MEDICINE HAT — A temporary residential detoxification facility is expected to open this summer to serve local and area residents until a new permanent facility opens next year.
The temporary Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility will be located in a vacated wing of the Medicine Hat Remand Centre, 874 2 St. S.E., and house up to eight clients, men and women.
Most clients will participate in the residential detoxification program but some clients from communities outside of Medicine Hat may stay in the facility while attending a local, three-week addiction day treatment program.
The temporary facility will have a separate entrance with private rooms, washrooms and meeting space for therapy sessions.
Sean Chilton, Senior Vice President of the AHS South Zone, says he expects the space to be open this summer once required renovations are completed.
“This site is suitable for a temporary location as it is already appropriately zoned, and is close to downtown and public transportation,” he says.
Social detoxification is a non-medical program to help clients while they withdraw from alcohol or other drugs. Clients will attend formal programming depending on the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. Clients identified as high risk for severe withdrawal would be referred to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for medical detoxification.
The temporary facility will be staffed 24/7 with addictions counsellors and client care assistants. The Victorian Order of Nurses will provide additional services. Local social service agencies, such as the Housing First Team, will also help clients meet their basic needs.
Several addiction programs and services are now available in Medicine Hat for those who need care: home detoxification program through the Victorian Order of Nurses; mobile addiction outreach provided by McMan Youth, Family and Community Services; inpatient detoxification; outpatient addiction services; day treatment program; and evening services to help families understand addictions, their impact, and services available.
These services will continue after the permanent, 18-bed facility opens. Construction on Medicine Hat Detoxification and Residential Treatment Centre – to be located at 370 Kipling St. S.E. – is expected to begin this summer.
It will be the first residential treatment and detoxification centre in southeast Alberta.
There are detoxification facilities in Fort Macleod and Calgary, and residential addiction treatment centres in Lethbridge, Claresholm and Calgary.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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