Planning begins to replace the Sarah Steele Building

FOR RELEASE #13-057
March 18, 2013

Whitehorse—The Yukon government is taking steps to enhance its ability to provide alcohol and drug services and programs, Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham announced today. Plans are moving forward to replace the Sarah Steele Building in Whitehorse with the project about to enter the conceptual and schematic design phase.

Subject to legislative approval, $900,000 will be designated for this project in the coming fiscal year. The Sarah Steele Building houses alcohol and drug services and treatment programs.

“Addiction is one of the most significant public health issues we face today,” Graham said. ”A new, larger facility will enable us to offer significantly improved addictions and mental health treatment programming.”

One improvement is a move to a continuous intake treatment model. The new building will also allow the department to better accommodate the new medically supported detox model and other new programs, such as youth detox, which responds to an identified need.

The conceptual design and program plan will incorporate and reflect much of the feedback the department has received from First Nations and other stakeholders and service providers.

“A new facility will allow us to better respond to recommendations made in the report from the Task Force on Acutely Intoxicated Persons at Risk, written by Dr. Bruce Beaton and Chief James Allen,” Graham added.

Alcohol and Drug Services will continue to provide services throughout all phases of the new facility’s construction.

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Contact:

Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca

Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-367
patricia.living@gov.yk.ca

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