Sahara Addictions Program

What is Sahara Addictions Program (SAP)?

Program Philosophy

The Sahara Addictions Program at PCHS strives to empower clients and their families through a guided journey to recover from substance use behaviors and related concerns by using a holistic treatment approach in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

Program Goals and Objectives:

1. To provide holistic care and support to clients who identify with having a substance use problem or addiction
2. To reduce hospitalization-visits/admissions
3. To provide culturally competent psychoeducation to addiction clients and their families
4. To provide linkages to clinical care and community resources
5. To tailor the care, plan to suit each client’s individual needs and preferences
6. Incorporate home visits and group sessions as required in care plan

Eligibility Criteria:

1. 16 years or older
2. Resides in Greater GTA
3. Using/abusing a substance (alcohol, drugs etc.)
4. Have alcohol/drug addiction
5. Family members/significant others of individuals with substance use issues
6. Have a process dependency (legal mandates etc.)?
7. Have been mandated as a requirement of the court or probation

Addictions Program Components:

1. Case Management Program
2. Sahara Opioid Addiction Prevention Program (SOAPP)
3. Sahara Opioid Harm Reduction (SOHR) Program
4. Intensive Addiction Day Treatment Program (IADTP)
5. Sahara Bridging Addiction Counselling (BAC) Program
6. Sahara In-Short Term Emergency Diversion (In-STED) Program
7. Community Withdrawal Management Services (CWMS) Program
8. Rapid Response Saving Lives (RRSL) Program
9. Addictions Medicine Services (AMS) Program
10. Peer Support

Case Management

Provides individualized assessment and planning, service co-ordination, supportive counselling and appropriate referrals.

Sahara Opioid Addiction Prevention Program:

SOAPP provides services to individuals with opioids addiction and improves the responsiveness of the health care system to substance abuse. Program is a partnership between WOHS, CMHA Peel, PAARC, FTP, Jean Tweed and PCHS. A client receives brief intervention, lifestyle and supportive interventions to develop skills to manage addiction/substance abuse and other related problems.

Sahara Opioid Harm Reduction Program:

SOHR provide brief intervention, lifestyle and personal counselling to assist clients to develop skills and manage opioids addiction/substance abuse and related problems, and/or maintain and enhance care plan. This is a mobile position, services will be provided in office setting and within the community as per service recipients’ needs.

Sahara Bridging Addiction Counselling Program (BAC):

A short term counseling program to support individuals on residential treatment programs waitlist residing in the GTA. The Bridging Addiction Counseling program also supports individuals discharged from the Withdrawal Management Center (Residential or community) and Health Link referrals. 

Sahara In-Short Term Emergency Diversion Program (In-STED):

The In-STED Program is a partnership between SHIP, CMHA Peel and Punjabi Community Health Services that offers short-term, community based mental health and addiction services to the most vulnerable individuals. The program is designed to reduce the need for multiple visits to emergency departments.

Community Withdrawal Management Service (CWMS):

Provides a supportive environment to clients with voluntary alcohol or other drug withdrawal. This includes a structured day time and telephone WM services. Monitor withdrawal symptoms, provide support, reassurance, coping methods, motivational counselling, and appropriate referrals.

Intensive Addiction Day Treatment Program (IADTP):

The IADTP helps reduce non-emergency ED visits and/or hospitalization, allow for faster discharge when visits are necessary, and reduce recidivism, as the hospital will be able to refer directly into the program.  It allows for seamless navigation, access, and transition to the appropriate level of care.

Rapid Response Saving Lives Program (RRSL):

The RRSL program focuses on supporting clients with wrap around services post hospital discharge to minimize isolation and save lives. This program provides short term persons-centered support, assists client with discharges back to the community, and ensuring clients have links to appropriate supports prior to discharge.

Peer support services:

Clients are connected to the peers at any level of care/recovery from substance use/addiction, as needed. Peer support workers support client’s personal recovery goals or building on resiliency by sharing success stories, shared personal life experiences, serving as role models or helping the individual reach their personal goals. Peer Support Services are provided at locations that meet the needs of the persons served and that is most convenient.

Addictions Medicine Service (AMS):

The new addition AMS service does not refer to the practice of controlling, administering, and/or prescribing medications to the persons served. AMS service usually coordinates with the external agencies, such as William Osler and arranges appointments to the addiction specialist or doctors if the client have any inquiry about their medicines.

Addictions Group Programs:

• Sahara Addictions Day Program (SADP): This program runs Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. in three weeks’ cycle. Topics include alcohol related issues (Legal & health related). -In Person
• Sahara Men’s Group Program (SMG): The group addresses “substance abuse” and “violence behaviour” issues simultaneously. Every Saturday 9:30- 12-30 pm. The group located at 135 McLaughlin Rd South Brampton. -Virtual
• Sahara Relapse Prevention Group Program: Men are encouraged to freely share their problems with the facilitator and men are also supported by providing a “buddy” who assists them through their difficult time of quitting substance. Conducted every Friday 6pm- 8pm at Unit 245, 2980 Drew Road (Malton Office). -In Person
• Sahara BAC and CWMS Group Program: Conducted every 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month from 10 am to 12 pm at Unit 241, 2980 Drew Road, Mississauga. Clients are provided psychoeducation on addiction, mental health and life skills. – Virtual
• Sahara Opioid’s Prevention Support Group: This 12-week support group program runs every Saturday 2pm – 4pm at Unit 241, 2980 Drew Road, Mississauga. The group covers information on addictions, recovery, craving management, relapse prevention, coping strategies, legal issues, substitute therapies and behavioural change. -Virtual
• Sahara Opioid Harm Reduction Program: This 12-week programs runs every Friday from 10 am to 12 pm with a goal to reduce harms while using substances at Unit 241, 2980 Drew Road, Mississauga. -Virtual

Our services are provided at NO COST to the participants. Our primary funders are:

Central Ontario Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care

PCHS is committed to provide clients with services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disability. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in a similar way as our other clients. 

If you require accommodations please submit a Request for Reasonable Accommodation. Click here to download.