Individuals receiving inpatient treatment for mental health and addictions at the Waterford or at the Recovery Centre are not permitted to smoke during their stay. This is inconsistent with policies in other provinces, as well as within our own province at our long-term treatment centres, and presents an unnecessary barrier to people accessing life-saving treatment. As such, we have written an open letter, accompanied by a briefing note and cabinet paper (attached), requesting amendments to Eastern Health’s no-smoking policies to allow individuals receiving inpatient treatment for mental health and/or addictions to smoke in designated areas.
We hope that this comes at a juncture where changes can be implemented as the redesign of the Waterford approaches and our province acts on recommendations made by The All Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions presented in March 2017.
The documents in this email will be presented to Minister John Haggie in September. Please read the letter linked below and sign if you agree with what is stated. Please share with any and all who may be interested in adding their support.
Letter to Minister Haggie: Amendments to No Smoking Policies at the Waterford and Recovery Centre
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the email address or phone number below.
Sincerely,
Carmella Gray-Cosgrove
Outreach Coordinator
P.O. Box 26067
St. John’s, NL A1E 0A5
(T) 754-0536 ext 203
(F) 754-0842