McGuinty Government Improves Access To Substance Abuse Services

    $8.3 Million Will Bring New Services To Areas Of Need

    TORONTO, Sept. 8 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is increasing funding
for substance abuse services by $8.3 million this year, an increase of almost
seven per cent, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced
today.
    "We want to make it easier for those Ontarians who are struggling with
substance abuse to get the help they need," said Smitherman. "This funding
will bolster existing services and help implement new programs, including
counseling for people with methamphetamine addiction in the Perth County
area."
    The additional $8.3 million for substance abuse services includes
$2 million to improve methadone maintenance treatment which was announced on
July 26th, 2007. The balance of the new funding will help agencies better meet
demand for their services in the 14 Local Health Integration Networks and
implement new initiatives in geographic areas where services are least
available.
    "We are delighted the government is strengthening substance abuse
programs and services," said David Kelly, Executive Director, Ontario
Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs. "This new
funding will increase access so people receive the treatment they need to lead
healthy lives."
    This year, the government will invest about $121 million on substance
abuse treatment programs across the province, including withdrawal management,
community counselling, and residential treatment and support services.
    This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have
achieved results in health care services. Other initiatives include:
    
    -   Increasing funding for mental health services by $230 million since
        2003/04
    -   Hiring 480 new mental health workers
    -   $1 million to recruit more doctors to prescribe methadone and other
        treatments, expand training and professional supports and develop
        best practice guidelines
    

    Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for
innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three
priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing
better access to doctors and nurses.

    This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
    For more information on achievements in health care, visit:
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.

    Disponible en français.

    
    Backgrounder
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                 IMPROVING ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

    The McGuinty government is increasing funding for substance abuse services
by $8.3 million this year. The funding will be allocated as follows:

    -   $6.3 million for services in the province's 14 Local Health
        Integration Networks (LHIN), including a 3 per cent base funding
        increase for all substance abuse services agencies
    -   $2 million to improve methadone maintenance treatment which was
        announced on July 26th, 2007

    Below is a breakdown of the $6.3 million by LHIN:


    LHIN                                                 Increase in Funding
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Erie St. Clair                                                   172,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    South West                                                       379,200
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Waterloo Wellington                                              151,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hamilton/Niagara/Haldimand/Brant                                 417,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Central West                                                     779,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Mississauga Halton                                               101,600
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Toronto Central                                                1,098,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Central                                                        1,368,500
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Central East                                                     207,200
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    South East                                                       156,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Champlain                                                        490,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    North Simcoe Muskoka                                              91,200
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    North East                                                       519,400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    North West                                                       308,200
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Provincial Services                                              100,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                                          6,340,700
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Disponible en français.

                             www.health.gov.on.ca
    

For further information:

For further information: Media Contacts: David Spencer, Minister's
Office, (416) 327-4320; David Jensen, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care,
(416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: 1-866-532-3161