The development of a safe sober site for youth awaiting ministry approval.

THUNDER BAY - An alternative care facility designed to assist intoxicated youth is one more step closer to opening its doors.

During the Thunder Bay Police Services Board meeting on Tuesday, member Joe Virdiramo provided an update on the progress of the initiative known as a safe sober site.

The safe sober site was one of the recommendations from the inquest into the deaths of seven Indigenous youth that called for the city of Thunder Bay to consult with various health care services “to develop an alternative facility for intoxicated youth, including remote First Nation students who cannot return home until their intoxication level has subsided.”

“We’ve been holding a number of meetings now for the past few months,” Virdiramo said. “We are continuing to work on the plan and hopefully it will be submitted and approved by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the youth who need the assistance will get the assistance.”

The facility will be designed to assist youth under the age of 25 who may be intoxicated or struggling with substance abuse issues and have nowhere else to turn.

“There are staff there that are trained to deal with intoxicated youth or youth with substance use and there is counselling and medical services,” Virdiramo said. “All the services mentioned will be there so they can get the proper treatment and assistance they need.”

Youth may be transported to the facility by police, EMS, or come in on their own. Virdiramo said no youth in the city will be turned away.

The final location of the facility has not been determined yet, but Virdiramo said it will be located near the Grandview Lodge and Kah Ni Chi Hih.

Meetings with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care are scheduled for next week. Virdiramo added he cannot say for certain when the facility is expected to open, but he hopes it will be very soon.

“There are other facilities in Thunder Bay, however, this is mainly to deal with three commendation from the inquest and we are hoping it will come to pass,” Virdiramo said. “It’s a service that is really needed and required for our city.”