Earlier this week, Red River College student Jackie Healey (23 years old) was viciously beaten by two residents of Selkirk Behavioural Health Foundation. She was working a practicum at the addictions treatment residence, the beginning of what she hoped would be a long career helping people struggling with addictions.

Normally you’ll hear me adamantly advocate for vulnerable and marginalized people struggling with addictions. I talk about people falling through the gaps in our system and how that perpetuates addictions across Manitoba.

Today, I am not speaking out on behalf of those struggling with addictions. I pause to share with you how outraged I am that this brutal assault has occurred. As the CEO of Turning Leaf Community Support Services Incorporated , I am responsible for the employment of over 200 people who often work with this issue. I am deeply saddened for the victims and families. I am alarmed that this has occurred in the wake of this centre’s leadership asking for support from our province and community. We have heard that this addictions treatment centre has struggled with adequate funding for years. What does that really mean? From one who knows, the lack of adequate funding can mean inappropriate levels of supervision, security and programming. It means we struggle to pay dedicated and hardworking staff – employees like Jackie Healey aspires to be – with a living wage. And, regrettably, inadequate funding is the context wherein tragedies like this one occurs.

In summary, I know intimately how people with addictions suffer and how they desperately need our help. Today, so does Jackie Healey and addictions treatment centers in this province.

Barkley J. Engel, M.A. – CEO
Turning Leaf Community Support Services Incorporated
Phone: 204 221-5594
turningleafservices.com

Listen to Turning Leaf staff members Zach Dixon, Crisis and Stabilization Coordinator
and Jennifer Biggs, Director of Supported Independent Living discuss the assault of
Red River College student Jackie Healey on 680 CJOB Radio with Dahlia Kurtz