The Yukon government unveiled its much-anticipated Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) on Wednesday.

It’s a key item in the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) between the Liberals and NDP that keeps the minority government in operation. It was signed Jan. 31, 2023.

In a news release, government officials said, “This program is an important step forward in addressing the complex issue of severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) among vulnerable people in the Yukon, particularly for those who have not had success with other treatments.

“MAP will function as a clinical initiative, focusing on structured care for individuals with severe alcohol dependency. It aims to help those facing barriers to basic care and support due to poverty and homelessness.”

The program will provide services at what is currently the St. Elias Adult Group Home, located on the escarpment end of Hoge Street. Officials are aiming to have it ready by the spring.

“Renovations are underway,” said the government.

“This location offers a safe, supportive setting conducive to the program’s objectives.

“The program, under supervision, will deliver medically prescribed doses of beverage alcohol at regular intervals to participants, along with health care and social support services.”

The selection of this location for the program means the end of the line for the residents at the St. Elias facility, which opened in 2016.

The home hosts adults with cognitive difficulties. Those residents are being moved to other facilities to make room for the MAP.

Several weeks ago, after learning major changes were in the works, the Yukon Party publicly questioned the government on its plans for these residents.

Sources tell the Star that staff at the group home will be offered positions elsewhere within the Department of Health and Social Services, where they can “bump” people with less service time.

“The current residents of the St. Elias Adult Group Home are being relocated to other community-based group homes in Whitehorse,” the statement said.

“Residents and caregivers were informed of this long-planned move in early January.”

That doesn’t sit well with Brad Cathers, the health and social services critic for the Yukon Party.

Speaking with the Star on Wednesday afternoon, he called the move “politically motivated”, although he is supportive of the concept of the program.

“Now we’ve learned these people are being moved is because of the political deadline being imposed by the Confidence and Supply Agreement for setting up this Managed Alcohol Program,” Cathers said.

“What this means is that the government is uprooting adults living with disabilities from a place they’ve called home for years.

“We do have major concerns with the decision on where to locate this program,” Cathers added

“We were surprised to see that several adults living with developmental disabilities being relocated from what is a purpose-built facility where some of them have lived for years with extremely short notice just to meet (a political deadline).

“The bottom line is that this is not fair to the adults living with significant disabilities who are being displaced,” the Lake Laberge MLA said. “It’s entirely a political decision.”

As for the program itself, the Yukon Party is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“We haven’t seen a lot of details yet,” Cathers pointed out.

“We don’t object to the concept of a managed alcohol program, but there a number of models for those, and the details of any such program are critical as to whether it’s successful or not.

“We will be watching with interest to see whether it works.”

According to the government, the MAP has been developed in close collaboration with health care professionals, Yukon RCMP and community partners, including First Nations governments.

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said, “With this residential Managed Alcohol Program, we continue to see the Yukon’s health care system transform.

“The Managed Alcohol Program is about compassionately addressing the needs of our community members who are grappling with severe alcohol use disorder and guiding them and their families towards a more stable, safe and healthier path.”

The NDP was enthusiastic about the announcement.

“The Yukon NDP celebrated another health care win for Yukoners following the release of details about Whitehorse’s managed alcohol program (MAP),” NDP Leader Kate White said Wednesday.

“The MAP was a condition of NDP support for the Yukon Liberals’ minority government through the parties’ 2023 CASA.

“Medical experts in Whitehorse have been calling for a Managed Alcohol Program for years. The Liberals didn’t take action when they were elected seven years ago, or in 2021, so I made them commit last year.”

The residential program is a start, White said.

“We know its eight beds won’t be enough to meet Yukoners’ needs, and Whitehorse still needs a more accessible drop-in program,” she added.

There are 42 Managed Alcohol Programs operating across Canada (as of February 2022), which are considered part of a national trend in harm reduction strategies.

NDP health critic Annie Blake noted that MAPs have demonstrably curbed non-beverage alcohol consumption and alcohol withdrawal related injuries and death in 21 Canadian cities, according to the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research.

“This is a step toward the evidence-based, harm-reduction approach we want to see more of, especially given that we’re two years into a substance use emergency,” Blake said.

Over the past year, the Department of Health and Social Services has begun offering managed alcohol services at a local long-term care home.

MAP’s annual budget, once it is fully operational, is projected to be just over $2 million.

“Managed Alcohol Programs are an important component of a spectrum of services that are needed for people living with substance use disorders,” said Dr. Sudit Ranade, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health.

“Both treatment and prevention are important to address the array of harms and negative health consequences of alcohol use. It is encouraging to see this addition to the spectrum of treatment services offered to Yukoners.”