News
Official Opening of Safe Sobering & Withdrawal Management
Date: 2025-11-07
"The Act of Caring for People" is a translation that reflects the meaning of Mino Ginawenjigewin, the name gifted to St. Joseph's Care Group's 500 Oliver Road site. It is a place where people can receive a continuum of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care that includes access to safe sobering, medically-supported withdrawal management, and a Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic.
In September 2024, the Ontario government announced a $2.9-million investment in St. Joseph's Care Group to expand and enhance addictions services. "Our government is proud to support the important work being done here by St. Joseph's Care Group," said the Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan. "The newly renovated and officially named site represents another step forward in meeting people where they are on their journey with addiction and mental health. By creating a safe, compassionate, and culturally appropriate space, we're ensuring that individuals can access the help they need without barriers - and that's how we build stronger, healthier communities here in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario."
To maximize the use of health system dollars invested, the past year has seen significant change to addictions services guided by the insight of staff and clients beginning with the relocation of Withdrawal Management services. With the move to the larger space, three temporary Withdrawal Management beds were made permanent, bringing the total to twenty-five.
Withdrawal Management is now co-located with 15 brand new Safe Sobering Beds in a supportive, accessible, and supervised environment where people who are intoxicated can safely recover from the effects of alcohol or other substances.
The investment enabled the return of a Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic, a service that had been temporarily relocated to create more space for Withdrawal Management beds.
Through N'doo'owe Binesi, the Indigenous Health division, a Cultural Practitioner and an Indigenous Health Associate have been fully integrated into the interprofessional care team, and new spaces have been built to support cultural healing and ceremony for Anishinaabe clients.
A new Transportation and Outreach team ensures that people accessing or leaving Safe Sobering and Withdrawal Management Services can travel safely and reliably to and from care. This service helps reduce barriers to access, particularly for people in the community who may be vulnerable and without safe means of transportation.
"With Withdrawal Management and Safe Sobering Beds, the restoration of on-site Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic, the addition of Transportation and Outreach, and the integration of Cultural Practitioners within the care team, we offer a continuum of care that meets people where they are, honouring their diverse experiences, histories, culture and values," said Janine Black, President & CEO of St. Joseph's Care Group.
Backgrounder: Mino Ginawenjigewin
Mino Ginawenjigewin loosely translates to "The Act of Caring for People."
Located at 500 Oliver Road, Mino Ginawenjigewin is a place that upholds and respects the dignity and rights of people living with addiction in a space that offers culturally-safe and trauma-informed care, providing the right care in the right place at the right time. It is a space that represents our responsibility to people in crisis, offering the support needed without defaulting to emergency rooms or jail cells, which were never meant to be on the frontline of care.
By bringing together a continuum of care including medically-supported withdrawal management, safe sobering, and Rapid Access Addiction Medicine, services can be stepped up, stepped down to meet the unique needs of the person receiving care
Culturally Safe, Trauma-Informed Care
Through integration with and supports from N'doo'owe Binesi, care is culturally safe and trauma-informed, with spaces for ceremony, traditional healing, and connection to culture.
Clients can access cultural supports such as Nanaandawe'ewin, our Traditional Healing Program, which connects clients with Cultural Practitioners and Elders who provide guidance and services for wholistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Safe Sobering
Safe Sobering provides a supportive, supervised environment for people who are intoxicated and need a safe place to recover from the effects of alcohol or other substances.
Serving up to 15 people at a time, Safe Sobering focuses on safety, stabilization, and connection to services. Staff monitor the person's wellbeing, offer hydration, rest, and basic care, and connect individuals to appropriate follow-up supports. The goal is to reduce risk, prevent harm, and create pathways to ongoing care and recovery.
Withdrawal Management
Withdrawal Management Services provide support and supervision for people who are withdrawing from alcohol or other substances, and can accommodate up to 25 people at a time.
Care is delivered by trained staff and supported by healthcare professionals who monitor vital signs, manage withdrawal symptoms, and ensure safety and comfort throughout the withdrawal process. The focus is on stabilization, medical oversight, and compassionate care, with connections to ongoing treatment, recovery, and community supports once withdrawal is complete.
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine, or RAAM, is available to anyone 16 years of age and over experiencing substance use issues. RAAM offers counselling, appropriate addiction medications, and connections to community treatment programs.
Transportation & Outreach
Transportation support ensures that people accessing or leaving Safe Sobering and Withdrawal Management Services can travel safely and reliably to and from care. This service helps reduce barriers to access, particularly for people in the community who may be vulnerable and without safe means of transportation.
Staff coordinate or provide rides to ensure clients arrive at the service or their chosen discharge environment, such as home, shelter, treatment, or another supportive setting. The goal is to promote safety, dignity, and continuity of care throughout the client’s recovery journey.
In Respectful Acknowledgment
We respectfully acknowledge Roland McKay and Donald Mamakwa, and their families. A Coroner's Inquest into their deaths led to a number of recommendations including establishing a safe, alternate destination for people under the influence of a substance, rather than into police custody.
For more information, please contact:
St. Joseph's Care Group
Communications & Government Relations
Media Line: 807-768-4455 | Email: sjcg@tbh.net
