Services will integrate addiction and mental health treatment with community partners to provide a network of support for people suffering from Opioid addiction
Ottawa, December 17, 2012 – The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre announces the launch of a new service to treat opioid addiction and related mental health issues in people who are under 30 years old or who have been using opioids for less than five years. The Regional Opioid Intervention Service will provide outpatient opioid detoxification and follow up services as well as mental health treatment based on each patient’s unique needs.
“The Regional Opioid Intervention Service will be one of the first of its kind in Ontario, providing early intervention for Opioid addiction on an outpatient basis alongside treatment for concurrent mental health problems,” said George Weber, president and CEO of The Royal. “The Royal is proud to join forces with partners across our region to provide a hub of support for the many people and families who are dealing with opioid addiction but have not known where to go for help until now.”
“Opioid addiction is a known issue among youth and young adults with studies showing that young people are more likely to experiment with opioids than with cigarettes,” added Dr. Melanie Willows, Clinical Director, Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program, The Royal. “Early intervention increases the chance of overcoming this addiction. By identifying and treating underlying mental health problems along with problematic drug use, we can help to prevent the likelihood of relapse.”
The Regional Opioid Intervention Service is based on a collaborative model of care which integrates a new outpatient intervention clinic at The Royal with a network of community and hospital service providers to offer patients a full spectrum of care. The clinic at The Royal will provide detoxification and maintenance services as well as mental health assessment and treatment options for people dealing with opioid addiction. Partner organizations will identify clients in need and share in their ongoing care – in activities such as case management, counseling, and social supports.
The Regional Opioid Intervention Service will also provide training, consultation, and mentorship to family physicians as well as mental health and addictions workers. This will increase the capacity of healthcare providers across the region to provide detoxification and maintenance services in partnership with community mental health and addiction services. In particular, the service will focus on bringing opioid treatment to outlying and rural areas that currently have no such services.
It builds capacity for addictions treatment, and promotes collaboration with primary care. This is good news at a time when opioid addiction is increasingly becoming a challenge for our communities.”
“During the past several years, the Champlain LHIN has improved and expanded addictions services for adults and youth to help meet an increased demand,” says Chantale LeClerc, CEO of the Champlain LHIN. “We have recently invested in new opioid substitution therapy programs in different parts of our region, and now, the LHIN has made a decision to provide $360,000 to the new Regional Opioid Intervention Service. This collaborative program leverages expertise from specialists, community health centres and addictions agencies. It builds capacity for addictions treatment, and promotes collaboration with primary care. This is good news at a time when opioid addiction is increasingly becoming a challenge for our communities.”
The Regional Opioid Intervention Service is also funded in part by the AFP Innovation Fund at The Royal which supports new and innovative practices in health care delivery and leadership in knowledge-sharing across the health care system.
How Prospective Patients Can Access the Regional Opioid Intervention Service
The service will be accessible on a self-referral basis meaning individuals who want to stop or reduce their use of opioids (such as Fentanyl and Oxycontin) need only to register for an orientation session as a first step towards getting help.
“Our orientation sessions will provide information on all options available for opioid addictions services and treatment throughout our region – there is currently no other group that offers this to potential clients and their families,” says Dr. Kim Corace, Project Director, Regional Opioid Intervention Service, The Royal. “With the Regional Opioid Intervention Service no door is the wrong door for people who want help with an opioid problem. Although this service may not meet the needs of every individual, our experts will direct each client to an alternate program that meets their needs, whether it’s through another program at The Royal or through our network of community and hospital partners.”
The Regional Opioid Intervention Services will hold its first orientation session for people interested in receiving treatment on January 10, 2013 (additional orientation sessions will occur monthly) with initial patients expected to begin treatment shortly thereafter. To register for an orientation session, individuals should call 613.722.6521 ext. 6105.
Media Contacts
Clinicians from The Regional Opioid Intervention Service at The Royal are available for media interviews on December 17th. Please contact Sue Walton at +1 (613) 722-6521 ext. 6349 or sue.walton@theroyal.ca to arrange a time.
For more information from the Champlain LHIN, please contact Carole Ouellette at +1 (613) 747-3238 or carole.ouellette@lhins.on.ca.