SLMHC Update
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Opens the new Medical Withdrawal Support Service Unit
December 5, 2011
The Medical Withdrawal Support Unit, a program of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre in partnership with Community Counseling and Addiction Services opened their doors today.
“The opening of this new program is a long waited day. The program is a part of the planned services that are gradually being developed and implemented with the opening of the new health centre. This new service is a response to a need in northwestern Ontario region”, said Mrs. Barb Linkewich, Vice President of Health Services.
The unit is a ‘safe place’ where clients may be admitted for the purpose of safe withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. The program gives the client an opportunity of a flexible admission of approximately ten to fifteen days to withdraw from opiates, eg. oxycontin, benzodiazepines; or alcohol in the care of a professional health care team and environment.
“While in the safe unit, no visitors are allowed as this gives the client personal time to work on what they need to do to withdraw from drugs. After this period they may either go home with a discharge plan which may include linkages to other services, or be referred to a regional treatment center”, explained Mrs. Barb Linkewich, Vice President of Health Services.
The health centre has five (5) beds dedicated for the program. On staff on a 24/7 basis are one Registered Nurse, one Registered Practical Nurse, and counselors.
Mrs. Debbie Toppozini, Program Director of the Unit, said, “The first few days are focused on medical withdrawal and symptom management. The other component is the program has been designed through practical teachings and methods to assist the client to become aware of healthy choices in living so that they can begin to create a road map of their own personal journey to health and wellness while they are in the unit. This is a safe and holistic program”.
Mrs. Toppozini added, “CAMH in Toronto has been very helpful and very supportive by providing guidance and training to our staff and assisting with program development. Three staff members did their seven (7) week placement at CAMH and learned the basics of setting up the unit, about medication, and counseling techniques in dealing with relapse prevention. The staff have completed a five day intensive orientation and are ready to provide a high quality standard of care”.
The unit admitted it’s first two clients today. They continue to take referrals and do intake. The program is designed to admit clients who are eighteen (18) years or older. A prerequisite is that a client must agree to participate in the programming in the unit as well as engage in a discharge plan of care.
For more information contact:
Mrs. Barb Linkewich, Vice President of Health Services
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1 Meno Ya Win Way
Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B4
Telephone 807-737-6539
Email: