Dennis Kalichuk of St. Thomas retired from Canada Post at the end of July, but instead of golfing or fishing he started a movement.
Beginning with a petition asking the province for sweeping changes to the way it deals with issues and problems of homelessness, mental health and addictions.
Elgin-Middlesex-London Jeff Yurek last Thursday presented the petition to member’s at Queen’s Park and he explains what is next.
In a letter sent earlier this month to Premier Doug Ford, Kalichuk wondered why illnesses of mental health and addictions are treated so often outside of our public health care institutions.
Yurek feels Kalichuk’s call for action might fit in well with the province’s proposed Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.
The role of the Centre of Excellence would be to ensure mental health and addictions care is integrated into the broader healthcare system.
Yurek stresses grassroots movements like Kalichuk’s petition can result in change.
Kalichuk stresses, in many cases, the only assistance a homeless individual with issues of mental health and/or addictions is receiving is often peer-based harm reduction on the street.
