April Desjarlais is SA国际影视传媒渁mazedSA国际影视传媒� by some of the positive changes sheSA国际影视传媒檚 seen downtown following the NWT Disabilities CouncilSA国际影视传媒檚 decision to quarantine some 30 homeless clients for 30 days amid Covid-19.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey feel like they were given a chance. They feel so much healthier. I definitely have seen a positive change,SA国际影视传媒� said Desjarlais, whose building sits next to the Sobering Centre and Day Shelter on 50 Street in Yellowknife.

Following the centreSA国际影视传媒檚 opening in fall 2018, Desjarlais has been outspoken about violence and public disturbances sheSA国际影视传媒檚 witnessed in the area. She has documented incidents of assault captured by her buildingSA国际影视传媒檚 security cameras around the shelter, while pushing for a good neighbours agreement between area businesses and agencies from the City of Yellowknife to the .

That partnership has since been formed, and local business owners, along with representatives from the city, law enforcement and the NWT Disabilities Council, meet monthly. The latest meeting was held on April 16.

Earlier this month, the NWT Disabilities Council, which runs the Sobering Centre and Day Shelter, moved to lock down the facility in an effort to protect high-risk homeless people, many of whom have underlying health conditions, from the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Individuals who signed up for the month-long quarantine are being provided alcohol and tobacco through a managed program SA国际影视传媒� something that community advocates in the capital have long called for.

DesjarlaisSA国际影视传媒� observations echo statements recently made by the council. Quarantined clients are drinking less, abstaining from hard drugs and coordinating housing arrangements while feeling better than ever, according to the NWT Disabilities Council.

Records show clients who were drinking daily up to eight bottles of malt liquor -- commonly known as Private Stock -- or other alcoholic beverages are now down to one bottle or none.

SA国际影视传媒淪upervised distribution of alcohol has successfully supported the adults in our program to significantly reduce their alcohol consumption,SA国际影视传媒� reads a statement from the council. SA国际影视传媒淎lthough not a requirement of the program, over half of the adults in our program identified that they are using this isolation environment as an opportunity to become more sober and healthy,SA国际影视传媒� continues the statement.

Denise McKee, the councilSA国际影视传媒檚 executive director, said the agency has witnessed many benefits that werenSA国际影视传媒檛 necessarily foreseen. The original plan was to protect at-risk people from Covid-19. Now, workers are being told that clients are feeling healthier than ever before SA国际影视传媒� and that they want the centre to continue its current measures until the pandemic is controlled.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur service users have identified that there is no interest in the centre returning to a
drop-in setting until the pandemic situation changes,SA国际影视传媒� stated the news release from NWT Disabilities Council.

According to the statement, an on-site medic continues to support clients regularly at the sobering centre and day shelter. The medicSA国际影视传媒檚 duties, however, have evolved during Covid-19 SA国际影视传媒� clients are regularly being screened for symptoms, along with drug withdrawals.

Positives need to continue post-pandemic: neighbour

Desjarlais recently spoke with clients at the shelter from afar; across a fence that limits their exposure outside of the centre. All appeared healthier than what sheSA国际影视传媒檚 used to during her regular encounters with them, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was like night and day,SA国际影视传媒� said Desjarlais, who applauded efforts from the NWT Disabilities Council and the health authority, which provides funding to the council.

Encouraged by the shift, Desjarlais said the progress needs to stick. It canSA国际影视传媒檛 disappear post-pandemic, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a testament to the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 need for a facility, a proper facility, where these programs can occur,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Desjarlais wants to see the controlled alcohol program continue, but sheSA国际影视传媒檇 like to see clients served at a different facility that can meet the demands, and the volume, of the citySA国际影视传媒檚 homeless population.

On the operatorSA国际影视传媒檚 end, McKee said the NWT Disabilities Council is looking at the model and its outcomes to SA国际影视传媒減rovide significant insight into developing effective strategies toward successful supports,SA国际影视传媒� down the line.

Here are some statistics, offered by the NWT Disabilities Council, that provide more insight: