Quick Access to Lifesaving Treatment for Alcohol, Opioid, and other Drug-related Addictions
Durham Region – Two Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAMM) clinics have opened at Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa Hospital and Pinewood Centre, providing treatment for those with alcohol, opioid and other drug-related addictions and same-day counselling services.
The RAAM clinics are located at the Oshawa Hospital and Pinewood Centre’s Centre Street location and offer fast access to quality care without a physician referral. The newly-opened clinics will also help reduce the impact on the number of opioid overdoses that are currently being managed in hospital Emergency Departments.
“Lakeridge Health Emergency Departments are among the busiest in the province for treating people experiencing mental health and addictions related conditions,” said Matthew Anderson, Lakeridge Health President and CEO. “The RAAM clinics will help our team provide ‘barrier-free’ access to immediate and ongoing addiction treatment, counselling and other mental health supports for those needing support and care.”
Lakeridge Health is also leading an Opioid Strategy Action Group, which will examine best practices in other jurisdictions through engagement with local stakeholders.
“Our role at Lakeridge Health is to work towards improving access and coordination of opioid-related addiction and medical services across Durham and the Central East LHIN to better serve and connect those with opioid and alcohol-related substance use issues to timely, appropriate care,” said Paul McGary, Director, Mental Health and Addictions and Co-chair of the Opioid Strategy Action Group.
The RAAM clinics provide people with immediate help, short-term addiction treatment and counselling until they can be connected to longer-term supports and programs. The clinics can be accessed on a walk-in basis at both Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa Hospital (Monday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.) and Pinewood Centre (Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.).
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine is part of the Ontario government’s Strategy to Prevent Opioid Addiction and Overdose. The Central East LHIN has made a $1.6 million commitment to assist those impacted by opioid addiction and overdose, providing support for RAAM clinics and enhanced support for existing community-based withdrawal management services and treatment in Durham Region, Scarborough and Peterborough.
For more information contact:
Lakeridge Health Communications
T. 905.576.8711 extension 4317
communications@lakeridgehealth.on.ca
