Dave Levac
FOR BRANT NEWS

Last month, I wrote to you about “detox” and rehabilitation centres and what I had heard last summer while talking to the residents of Brant.

I heard a lot about what the constituents in my riding feel about detox centres and those missing pieces that we need to explore before we go further.

“We will not proceed further with this initiative until the community is fully engaged,” I wrote.

In order to engage the community, I have created an information session to do just that.

Addiction can be hard to talk about. The term itself is quite general: a desire to have or do something that gives one pleasure, a medical issue or an uncontrollable compulsion or an addiction not just to drugs or alcohol, but to gambling, sex and other urges that need to be treated with a compassionate eye.

These addictions are typically treated through “detox,” a “system of bringing the body and mind back to normal after feeding an addiction on a continual basis.” It also helps the addict cope with the resulting physical withdrawal that comes with addiction cessation.

Although no one plans on becoming addicted, addiction is stealthy – it has a hold of you without you even knowing how it happened.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the line: “I can quit when I want to.”  But when people really do want to quit, they find it’s not that easy. Sometimes, services are so far away from their family and friends the thought of that kind of disconnect from what feels safe is just too daunting.

Although we have wonderful agencies devoted to addiction services right here in Brant, there is always more we can do and, quite frankly, the community voice is getting louder.

This is why I took the suggestion from Brant residents and sought out to seek further input from the community on researching the interest in an addiction rehabilitation centre in our area.

Whatever idea we use to deal with addiction, what is clear is that we need to address the growing gap in addiction services.

Recently, I have spoken with local agencies, residents, community groups and those that have become addicted regarding addiction needs in our neighbourhoods. The message is the same: addiction is a growing problem that needs immediate action.

Before we begin to even think about creating a specialized addiction rehabilitation centre, we must be clear on our goals and the needs of those who need assistance.

On Feb. 7, I will be hosting a “detox information gathering session” at Laurier Brantford. It is my hope that this session will open a venue for those who would like to speak to and provide information on their interest in having a detox centre in Brant.

Making sure that the community is engaged will promote a better result through shared community consultation and support. It is my hope that the raw data gathered at this session will provide those who will champion this centre the information they need knowing that the community has been consulted and the greater voice has been heard.

Should you wish to get involved or speak at this 
session, call my office at 
519-759-0361.

Dave Levac is MPP for Brant and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.