At-risk people who have signed up for a 30-day quarantine at YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Day Shelter and Sobering Centre amid the COVID-19 crisis - many of whom are homeless and struggle with addictions - are being supplied alcohol as part of a current program introduced at the NWT Disabilities Council-run centre.
Community advocates in Yellowknife have long called on the territorial government to implement a managed alcohol program for the citySA国际影视传媒檚 most vulnerable.
Now itSA国际影视传媒檚 happening, at least temporarily, at the joint day shelter and sobering centre, according to the NWT Disabilities Council.
SA国际影视传媒淲ith controlled distribution of alcohol and no access to illegal drugs, the people we support are telling us how they feel healthier than they have years,SA国际影视传媒� stated Alannis McKee, director of programs at the NWT Disabilities Council, in an email to SA国际影视传媒.
The Day Shelter and Sobering Center was re-purposed last week SA国际影视传媒� essentially becoming an isolation centre for around 30 residents.
SA国际影视传媒淏y housing 30 of the most vulnerable homeless adults in an isolated context, we are able to keep these individuals safe from the virus and decreases the need for hospitalization and health resources during a time when our system is already very strained,SA国际影视传媒� stated McKee.
For the downtown shelter, which usually supports up to 60 people, the spread of Covid-19 made social distancing an unreasonable reality SA国际影视传媒� it simply wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 possible to the keep the shelter running as usual, wrote McKee.
That ultimately led to the 30-day quarantine SA国际影视传媒� and the opening of the GNWT-run day shelter at the Salvation Army.
That temporary shelter, which operates separately from the Salvation Army, and its usual 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. shelter, was shut down on the weekend after reports of a fight.
The shelter has since reopened, the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 press secretary confirmed to SA国际影视传媒 on Thursday.
With it closed over the weekend and the Day Shelter and Sobering Centre at capacity, many were left with nowhere to go at a crucial time.
The NWT Disabilities Council, which routinely combats the spread of communicable diseases among its clients, said planning for Covid-19 measures happened well before the virus hit the territory.
SA国际影视传媒淧rior to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak being declared a pandemic, our organization was already working internally and closely with government partners to develop a comprehensive emergency pandemic response plan,SA国际影视传媒� stated the news release.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur staff and service users are feeling secure from the virus and are keeping each other strong as we continue to face uncertainty in these extraordinary times.SA国际影视传媒�
