An Opioid Strategy has been launched by the North East Local Health Integration Network.

The LHIN received $1.6-million dollars, which will be divided up among the sub-regions to expand and create Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics.

Each of the four sub-regions will get $200-thousand dollars to establish those RAAM Clinics.

The location for the one for Cochrane and James Bay coast is yet to be determined.

“The clinic will provide outreach supports to communities in both sub-regions (Chapleau, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls, Kapuskasing, Hearst, Moose Factory, Moosonee, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kaschechewan, and Peawanuck),” the LHIN states in a release.

Our local sub-region will also get an additional $260-thousand dollars to enhance withdrawl management and addiction counselling.

The other three will be getting another $130-thousand dollars for the same purpose.

An additional $200-thousand will go to Health Sciences North in Sudbury, who will be the lead agency.

The money will help combat the growing needs of people with addictions to opioids. In December, Rogers Radio spoke with Dr. Mike Franklyn, who says Northern Ontario has the highest opioid addiction numbers in the world.

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