Sudbury treatment facility gets $2.5M for expansion
Funding from the provincial government will help to kick-start construction of a new addictions-treatment facility in Sudbury.
The province announced on March 4 that it would provide $2.5 million through its Addictions Recovery Fund to supplement addictions treatment supports at Monarch Recovery Services.
The money will enable the organization to move from its existing facility on Ramsey Street to a new, larger location at the site of the old St. David's school. The new facility will add 15 treatment beds and consolidate several of its services.
"Monarch Recovery Services recognizes that the need for addiction services continues to escalate in our community and this funding will allow us to not only facilitate access to services, but it will also increase our capacity and help fill the gaps in the continuum of care that we provide to individuals who are struggling with substance use," said CEO Roxane Zuck.
“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.
Studies have shown that opioid-related deaths surged by 79 percent during the first two waves of the pandemic, with rates being three times higher in Northern Ontario.
The province’s 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.
“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.”
The $90 million Addictions Recovery Fund is being invested over three years, including $7.2 million in 2021–22, and $41.39 million in each of 2022–23 and 2023–24.