I was on the other side of the country and missed the town meeting about crime in our area.
When I returned I was informed that there were people who would like to see the MITAA Detox Centre gone from our town. Since the MITAA Centre is about to celebrate their 50th anniversary I am going to believe that the people blaming any crime on the MITAA Centre have little to no knowledge about what the centre does.
First, a little history. When the Centre opened nearly 50 years ago it was in trailers on the St. Andrew’s School soccer grounds. Dorothy Cowell, then principal of St. Andrew’s, was very supportive. For that, Donna J Smith, the founder, was very grateful. Let that sink in. A detox centre on school grounds. That is what some saw. Most saw High Prairie and area people trying to help people with addictions.
From there, the Centre moved to a house behind the old police station and close to a playground. And again, most people saw High Prairie and area people trying to help the people who needed it.
Next, they moved to a bigger house a block away. All through this Donna Smith, as the director, worked hard with the community to help them see what she saw. Some people need help, and others need to be there to help them.
Now, let me help educate you on our Centre. We have six beds for clients who are trying to get clean. While they are at the Centre they are helped with placement in a treatment facility if they wish to attend one and help arrange transportation to get there. In our Centre, they have access to an addictions counsellor, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, healthy food. In short, a safe place to detox, regroup and try to get their life on a healthy track.
Our detox runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. MITAA has 10 sleeping places in our night shelter. The shelter also runs every day of the year. Once a person enters the shelter, they are there for the night. In the morning they are given a coffee and sandwich before they leave. Our night shelter is full almost every night.
We have many wonderful organizations who support our efforts. Help us provide for our clients. These are very community-minded organizations and businesses.
Do we have crime in High Prairie? Yes. What does that have to do with the MITAA Centre?
Brenda Coulombe,
Chairperson,
MITAA Detox Centre