Chair Pat Hoy

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Room 1405, Whitney Block

Queens Park,

Toronto, ON.

M7A 1A2



February 13, 2004.



To the Honourable Pat Hoy:



On behalf of the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs (the Federation) thank you for the opportunity to submit information to you during this pre-budget consultation. The Federation represents 215 community mental health and addiction services throughout the province that provide effective, responsive, and accountable supports to some of the most vulnerable populations in the province.



Today you will also have received from our organization a submission making the case for further investment in community mental health and addiction programs.



Understanding the fiscal realities facing the government of Ontario the Federation in conjunction with other providers feels that revenue solutions also need to be presented to the government so that creative options may be considered to address the needs of services working with vulnerable populations in Ontario.



In 1999, the Government of Ontario introduced a “behavioural insurance model” to fund an integrated array of services to address problem gambling. The Federation feels that a similar model may be used to support another crucial part of the health care system, the addiction treatment sector.



The addiction treatment services in Ontario to face extensive funding short falls while facing increasing needs. Studies show that investing one dollar in addiction treatment services can save between $4 and $12 in long term societal, economic, and medical costs.



Addiction Treatment services will support the government in addressing the fiscal imbalance facing the province. Our attached behavioural insurance model provides an opportunity for the government to address this crucial health issue in a unique fashion.



The Federation would be pleased to have an opportunity to discuss this proposal further.



Sincerely





David Kelly

Executive Director.