Portage la Prairie's Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic opened this past fall and despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the facility has been able to assist those seeking help for substance use.

Officially opening its doors to patients October 30, the Portage location operates from 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday and offers a pair of afternoon clinics each week where people can simply walk in and begin their road to recovery.

"We operate like a clinic," explains Karie Eisner-Mooney, RAAM clinic nurse. "If you think about the Portage Clinic or the Portage Walk-in Clinic, that's what our services are."

RAAM Clinics are intended to be outpatient facilities and those seeking to use the services will meet with a physician, nurse, and AFM counselor. RAAM Clinics don't offer detox beds or inpatient treatment.

"We're able to facilitate those connections with our community partners and partners in different parts of the province, but we are a clinic," explains Eisner-Mooney. "You will be seen as if you were coming to a doctor's appointment. If you were needing admission to say a medical detox or a detox somewhere in the province, we can help facilitate that admission in that process."

Those seeking treatment will be asked a series of questions from the clinic team surrounding a patient's substance use history to determine how to adequately help. Eisner-Mooney explains that an individual just struggling with substance usage and looking to make a lifestyle change might also benefit from RAAM's services.

"It doesn't have to be a lengthy process, but come and have a discussion and we could assess what their needs are and what they're looking for their future," she says. "We're well connected with our community AFM office here in Portage, so if people are wanting to be connected in the community, we certainly can facilitate that process."

Dana Human, Regional Director of Mental Health with Southern Health-Santé Sud has been directly involved with the launch of the Portage facility and says she's proud to have been able to have a hand in establishing such a resource in the community.

"It's been a lot of work, but it's been really rewarding work. And we're just so pleased that we've got so many stakeholders in the community that are interested in us," says Human. "So if we could just say a big thank you to everyone who's assisted us to make this happen, we'd really like that message to get out there."

RAAM clinics are not for people needing urgent medical attention for physical problems or mental health symptoms such as psychosis (paranoia, delusions, hallucinations), agitation, active risk of harm to self or others, or requiring police/security involvement. A Manitoba Health Card is required when attending a RAAM facility. RAAM services are also offered in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, and Thompson.

Portage la Prairie's RAAM Clinic is located at 159 – 5th Street S.E. Clinic hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. For more information contact 204-239-8800.