A safe sobering centre would provide better care for people who are publicly intoxicated in Thunder Bay, Ont., and could ease pressure on first responder and emergency medical systems, say witnesses at the inquest for two Oji-Cree First Nation men who died in police custody.
The public inquest into the police custody deaths of Don Mamakwa and Roland McKay continues this week. Today, the inquest heard from Molly Boyce.
Thunder Bay's Shelter House has been running a managed alcohol program called Kwae Kii Win since 2012. Molly Boyce is a graduate of the program, and was there with Don Mamakwa during the early years.
She spoke to CBC Thunder Bay's Logan Turner after she spoke at the inquiry.
Thunder Bay Shelter House executive director and a client of the Kwae Kii Win managed alcohol program testified to the experiences of the homeless population and those facing addiction in the city during the Don Mamakwa and Roland McKay coroner’s inquest