La Loche to roll out managed alcohol program to slow COVID-19

Provincial, local officials connected group drinking to spread of virus

SASKATOON The Saskatchewan Health Authority is hoping a novel harm reduction program can help the northern village of La Loche win its battle against COVID-19.

The province is funding a managed alcohol program (MAP) to give daily doses of liquor to patients to prevent the dangerous effects of alcohol withdrawal, which can be fatal in an uncontrolled setting.

The program is set to launch early next week after the Saturday decision to close the village’s only liquor store for 14 days after provincial and local officials connected group drinking to the spread of COVID -19 in the community.

“We’re trying to limit the mobility of the community so we can stop the spread,” Mayor Robert St. Pierre said in an interview.

“We’re going to stop the spread and contain this virus.”

SHA spokesman James Winkel says the program will only be offered to those who need it and that individuals will be identified through collaboration with the community and the emergency operations centre.

“The scope and length of the program is dependent upon several factors, the most significant of which is lowering the number of active COVID -19 cases in La Loche and surrounding area,” he said in an email.

MAPS are rooted in the principle of harm reduction — the notion that while addiction is not instantly curable, withdrawal from alcohol in an unsupervised setting can be fatal.

In La Loche, it’s being implemented primarily to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The village and surrounding area have the vast majority of the 150 active COVID-19 cases reported in the far north of the province as of Saturday.

While most of the community has been obeying public health orders to stay home whenever possible, there have been complaints that younger residents continue to gather, with alcohol being a common factor. Moe on Friday issued a stern warning to young people to take personal responsibility for their actions.

The SHA confirmed Friday that alcohol abuse has been a “barrier to helping us contain the spread of COVID -19.”

That led St. Pierre to ask the province and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority to close the store on Friday. On Saturday, the SHA confirmed the store and off-sale would be closed for 14 days.

The authority currently maintains only one other MAP in partnership with Mobile Crisis Services and the Lighthouse, which served nine of the shelter’s clients as of October 2019.

Managers of that program said patients were more connected to services, were physically healthier and had greater success in tackling their mental health and addictions issues after joining the program.

He stressed the availability of other mental health supports in the community and encouraged people who needed help to reach out to health officials.

St. Pierre said it was another big step in the community’s fight against the virus. He took time to note that while some youth were not obeying social distancing measures, others — particularly children and teenagers — had been instrumental in making sure family members stayed safe.

He said he would withhold judgment on the program until he sees the results.

“Until we go through that process, we’re not going to know what the outcomes are.” St. Pierre said.