Sarnia's mayor hopes to capitalize on a potential opportunity to talk to Ontario's premier about the opioid crisis.
Premier Kathleen Wynne said Monday that Ontario will soon call a meeting of mayors from both large and small communities across the province to discuss the crisis.
Mayor Mike Bradley said, if invited, he will convey a very simple message to the premier.
"There are plans, there is money needed for a detox centre in this community to serve Sarnia-Lambton," said Bradley. "It's time to get on with it. It's been a project that the community has been pushing for a number of years, it's with the Ministry of Health, it's within the $10-million range, it's supported by the entire community and they have the ability to make that project happen quickly which would help a lot of people in this community."
The Erie St Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) said in February that provincial approval of a $10-million, 24-bed facility was imminent.
Bradley said a location still has to be chosen and there are very few pockets in the city with the proper zoning.
He said another option would be to locate the facility outside of the urban area similar to the Westover Treatment Centre south of Thamesville.
