Sudbury drug, alcohol abuse strategy nears completion

As the city of Sudbury works out a way to shelter homeless people with addictions, a strategy to reduce alcohol and drug abuse in the community is in its final stages.

Public Health Nurse Brenda Stankiewicz — one of two people leading the development of the alcohol and drug reduction policy — said Sudbury needs this strategy. She noted the biggest drug problem in Sudbury is alcohol.

“Alcohol is, globally, the third leading killer. It's a fact we don't often recognize because it falls behind tobacco and weight issues,” Stankiewicz said.

The other co-chair is Inspector Bob Keetch with city police. He said he can't give away any details, but said one aspect of the Sudbury strategy is expected to deal with how to house those who struggle with addictions.

“One of the issues in our community, like many communities, is wait lists associated with treatment for drug or alcohol dependency,” he said.

“There is also, certainly, an interest in this community to look at a wet shelter.”

A wet shelter is one where small amounts of alcohol are doled out to clients in an effort to prevent them from experiencing the harsh effects of detoxing while they seek shelter.

Keetch said that “to potentially develop a controlled shelter where you address that” will help “decrease the challenges” placed on police, emergency medical services, and the hospital, as well as addictions services.

The co-chairs hope to present the policy to their respective boards in April.