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A bold measure taken by leadership in La Loche to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 has seen positive results, according to a northern doctor.
Northern medical health officer Dr. James Irvine said the managed alcohol program (MAP) launched by the Saskatchewan Health Authority in the northern village has become a key component of the community’s overall response to the virus.
“We’ve seen a quieter community,” said Irvine. “Clients appear to be calmer. They’re less inebriated.”
He noted since the program has been up and running, very few clients have come forward with withdrawal symptoms, sparing the health system from additional strain.
Earlier this month, the province cut off alcohol sales at the request of the community to stop people from gathering and drinking together, which health officials have said was a contributing factor to the spread of the virus within the village.
The MAP program in La Loche currently has 55 clients, said Irvine. They are prescribed alcohol and the homeless are being provided temporary housing.
While MAP was launched as an initial response to the virus, Irvine said a version of the program may continue even after the outbreak is over.
“There’s a desire of leadership and others for this to move into an ongoing program,” he said. “The community has really shown remarkable leadership and collaboration with other organizations to make this happen.”