AQCID Press Release | March 31, 2025
Trois-Rivières, March 31, 2025 – The *Association québécoise des centres d’intervention en dépendance* (AQCID) denounces the institutionalized financial chaos within Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS). Consequently, the two provincial associations—the AQCID and the *Association provinciale des organisations en dépendance* (APOD)—are calling for universal access to care to support the recovery of individuals with substance use disorders and, ultimately, to reduce homelessness.
In recent days, addiction treatment centers have received letters informing them that the calculation method for funding under the Financial Assistance Program for Addiction Housing Resources (AFRHD) has been revised. This recalculation deprives many of these organizations of the funds needed to provide care to social assistance recipients. The AFRHD relies on a calculation model designed to partially fund services based on the number of beds at each facility, the actual occupancy rate of social assistance recipients, and questionable variables. Information received recently indicates that this calculation method has once again been altered by the MSSS without prior explanation, and with justifications that vary from one region to another.
"This latest example demonstrates the Ministry’s lack of regard for essential services—provided by our organizations to the most vulnerable—that fall outside the public healthcare system," states Mr. Bruno Ferrari, Chair of the National Standing Committee on Treatment at AQCID. A vast majority of people experiencing homelessness suffer from a psychoactive substance use disorder. Social assistance is inaccessible to these highly marginalized individuals, as well as to unemployment insurance recipients, many beneficiaries of the Quebec Pension Plan, individuals involved with the justice system, young adults, students, and others. People make their way to the treatment center and begin their program while awaiting a decision on social assistance, only to leave—all too often—after being denied benefits. Consequently, they are denied access to services and see their condition deteriorate. We are a long way from universal access.
For treatment centers, this situation means they must absorb the costs of these aborted treatment episodes. "It is the government’s responsibility to eliminate barriers to accessing addiction treatment, not for community organizations to cobble together a way to survive in order to compensate for this shortfall. We are calling for funding based on the same scales applied to other residential care facilities," adds Mr. Bruno Ferrari. This haphazard redistribution of AFRHD funds, occurring against a backdrop of chronic underfunding, destabilizes treatment centers and threatens their long-term viability. Our association is calling for a consistent funding model to ensure universal access to addiction care, as is already the case in the Montérégie region.
While awaiting funding that ensures universal access for the most vulnerable, our groups are calling for disclosure of the modified calculation method—but, more importantly, are demanding a review of the entire funding framework for addiction treatment centers. The current situation is paving the way toward homelessness.
Our members must be able to forecast their income and adjust their practices accordingly; otherwise, the AQCID will recommend that they limit access to care solely to active social assistance recipients. The government should then expect an increased burden on the healthcare and public safety systems, particularly within detention centers. We will also recommend that individuals awaiting admission file complaints with the Ombudsman and their Member of the National Assembly. The AQCID is considering further mobilization efforts to ensure its members can provide services at the right moment in the lives of individuals living with an addiction.
AQCID and APOD bring together all non-profit organizations offering residential treatment into a network comprising a total of approximately 2,330 beds in Quebec.
À propos de l’AQCID :
L’Association québécoise des centres d’intervention en dépendance (AQCID) est une association nationale qui regroupe, coordonne, mobilise et soutient 135 organismes communautaires et organismes à but non lucratif œuvrant en dépendance et en usage de substances. L’AQCID se distingue par la force de ses processus de consultation, par la diversité́ de ses partenaires et collaborateurs et par son enracinement dans l’ensemble des régions du Québec.
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Source:
Eve Mercier, M.A.
Directrice générale directiongenerale@aqcid.com
Cellulaire : 873 559-2250
www.aqcid.com