The Yukon Liberals would construct a new sobering facility in downtown Whitehorse if they're elected Oct. 11.

The party would support the recommendations of the Task Force on Acutely Intoxicated Persons at Risk, and the building of a facility for some of Whitehorse's most vulnerable populations, candidates Dave Sloan and Colleen Wirth told a news conference this morning.

In December 2010, the task force presented its report to the Yukon legislature. It recommended, among other things, that a downtown sobering facility be created to treat the many acutely intoxicated residents outside of the hospital and justice system.

The task force was made up of representatives from the health and social service sectors, as well as the RCMP, Emergency Medical Services, the Salvation Army, the Yukon Medical Association, the Yukon Hospital Corp. and several First Nations.

It was co-chaired by longtime Whitehorse physician Bruce Beaton and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief James Allen.

"Dr. Beaton and Chief Allen's recommendations are examples of best practices, delivered to the government by experts, community leaders and stakeholders. We are proud to announce today that the Liberal government would build this facility,” said Wirth.

The Liberals praised the report's central findings and expressed their belief that not enough has been done to treat people with serious addictions in the community.

"The report doesn't bury the issues in a lot of technical bafflegab; it comes out and clearly states what the issues are and what the issues of extremely intoxicated individuals and addictions in general are,” said Sloan.

"The fact is, we have been throwing people in jail who are publicly intoxicated. To what end? We are simply shuffling people off into the emergency room. We are putting stress on our medical facilities and we are really achieving nothing.”

The proposed centre would act as both a sobering and detoxification facility and would be staffed by an intervention team tasked with assisting intoxicated persons on the street. It may also be co-managed, using the Kwanlin Dun First Nation's justice system.

The party has not announced where the new facility would be located, except to say they will follow the report's recommendation that it be located somewhere in the downtown area.

"It is time to respect those in our community who have issues around substance abuse,” said Wirth. "We need to provide a co-ordinated approach that follows a harm reduction model, that respects individuals where they are at the moment, not simply treating them as criminals and putting them back into the justice system.”

The project is based on a similar initiative in Winnipeg which saw responsibility for acutely intoxicated individuals partially given to a system of care workers and social work professionals, who patrol the streets to assist people without the involvement of police.

It would come as an alternative to Whitehorse's current method of dealing with acutely intoxicated people, largely through the criminal justice system.

So far, plans for a facility to treat people with with acute intoxication have been included in the new correctional centre and have been accepted by the governing Yukon Party. Sloan criticized that, saying the government has not acted on behalf of people with addictions.

"We have seen no action by the government, except to say that they have accepted it. We didn't see anything in the budget showing they have accepted it. They have had time to invest in this issue but once again they are missing in action,” said Sloan.

The Star contacted the Yukon Party for comment this morning but did not receive a response by press time.

For its part, the NDP has supported the Beaton/Allen report since it emerged last year.

"I want to stress that the NDP came out strong from the very beginning,” party leader Liz Hanson said in an interview this morning.

"We were shocked when (former premier) Dennis Fentie announced they're building the facility at the jail,” she said. "It's completely inappropriate. It criminalizes addictions and complex problems that individuals may suffer.”

Hanson said the introduction of a new sobering facility is an issue of great importance to her own riding of Whitehorse Centre.

"Our stance and our record has been clear on the issues of creating a downtown sobering facility. It is also particularly important to me as member of the legislature for Whitehorse Centre. Locating these services in Whitehorse Centre is a very important initiative.”

As for the Liberals' announcement, Hanson said: "I am glad they support it; it's great, and I will take their support as premier.”

Though the project is gaining support among the parties, there is still no clear budget, outlining what the facility may cost taxpayers.

"You are looking at capital costs, clearly,” said Sloan. "The report's authors haven't given identification of specific numbers...but the costs are out there. They would be substantial to some nature, but the question is: ‘Are we willing to invest in vulnerable people in this society?'”

In line with the report's findings, the Liberals also called for a change in public perception of acute intoxication, focusing on the public health aspects, rather than the law and order approach.

It's a change, Sloan said, he is eager to meet.

"This would be a major challenge. Quite frankly, this is the kind of thing I would love to get my teeth into. Because this would be a fun project,” said Sloan.

The Liberals are also pragmatic that adopting the task force's recommendation would yield immediate and tangible results.

"I think we would see results very quickly, because we are so used to seeing things done in a reactive, emergency way,” said Wirth.

"Dr. Beaton clearly points out what a dangerous situation acute intoxication is and doing what we are doing now is not helping anyone.”

By MAX LEIGHTON

Star Reporter