On Friday morning, a lone protester stood in Constitution Park, Castries, to voice her concerns about what she says is the closure of the Turning Point rehabilitation center.
As a recovering alcoholic and employee of the facility she says she is expressing her frustration and appealing for immediate government intervention to restore operations at the center. She chose to not provide St. Lucia Times with her name.
“This is not political,” she stated. “My job is on the line. My workplace is closed, and I need answers. Turning Point was once the only rehabilitation center in the Caribbean, helping people like me who were struggling with addiction.”
The protestor shared her personal story, explaining how Turning Point had helped her overcome alcoholism and later provided her with employment. “I don’t have the qualifications or education, but I’ve been able to give back by helping others who need support,” she said, visibly emotional.
She criticised the neglect of the facility, calling on the Ministry of Health and the government to take action. “Renovate our place and give us back our home,” she urged, referencing the state of the center.
“Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean need Turning Point,” the protestor added.
She concluded her remarks with a warning of continued action. “If I don’t get results, I will come back again. This is not the end.”
Since the woman’s protest the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) which is the umbrella body for Turning Point, issued the following statement:
The Millennium Heights Medical Complex would like to inform the public that the Turning Point Rehabilitation Center is open and functional. The Center continues to offer the following services:
- DETOXIFICATION PROGRAM
- REHABILITATION PROGRAM
- TRANSITIONAL DAY HOSPITAL PROGRAM
- OUT-PATIENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Our unwavering commitment to serving our community and clients became even more apparent after a visit and meeting with Pan American Health Organization, on Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Saint Lucia. The visit sought principally to enhance our existing programs for improved service delivery.
Turning Point Rehabilitation Centre offers both inpatient and outpatient services for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders. These programmes focus on recovery, therapy, and support to aid in rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation programme at Turning Point includes the following components:
* 12-Step Programme
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Life Skills Development
- Gym Activities
- Gardening Therapy
- NA/AA Meetings
- Outpatient Services
MHMC wishes to invite members of the community to capitalize on the services provided by the institution.
MHMC wishes to invite members of the community to capitalize on the services provided by the institution. For more information, you can visit the Secondary Care Hospital from Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or call 1 (758) 458-6454 / 1 (758) 714-5497 and Email: turning.point@mhmc.lc.
We all now know that the Press Release is pure lie!
From the statements from those who know about the facility we know that they had done nothing of the above. Someone directly involved in the program has given us the truth about their incompetence and ineptitude as with everything else this government touches. She did not go to Constitution Park because everything was going good. Must have taken a lot of intestinal fortitude and frustration to go against this clueless government.
What this statement shows is that they are being forced to admit patients now that enough noise has been made by the public. So this is how they treat Lucians . Give them a six for a nine then do a likkle ting if they are found out.
Since they have been making a managerial mess of this institution do they even now have the staff necessary to do the rehabilitation?
So instead of the Minister of the PS coming out any making a statement they are hiding and send out an unsigned Press Release from the Medical Complex. Dodging and hiding, obsfucating and red herrings.
Lord lend a hand!
She may not have education and qualifications but she expressed her concerns better than a lot of ministers who supposedly have education.
So the lady is a liar? I await a follow up with this story to ensure that this lady isn’t victimized for blowing the whistle on them. I commend you my lady for standing up. It’s time we St. Lucians fight for what’s right.
Oh no wonder they just killing each other,there’s no turning point…..I not UWP I not SLP but we really need which ever gov’t that’s at the helm to take up the nation,s true responsibilities…..this question is for the gov’t …..why isn’t there any turning point,talking about urgency to fight crime,no stones should be left unturn in this upsurge of madness and craziness
@Truth teller … The gaslighting from the MHMC is so obvious! Of course, Joe Public is very aware that the mental health of the populace is, and has always been, on the back burner for eons.
It had to take one lone protestor for the medical centre to issue a “gaslighted” press release?!?
I actually saw her on the waterfront outside the min of health – where she should be. Kudos to her, but we should all join in.
Their lies are now catching up with them lol.#votethemout
I commend her bravery; however, I already feel sorry for her. The victimization and abuse that will come her way from the powers that will be swift and painful.
And I’m sure some sans honte will call her a “Zeleve flambeau” for having the courage to speak out against what is clearly an injustice impacting both flambeau and labour supporters.
Different Ministry, same blatant lies, complete disregard for the truth, first it was Ministry of Sports on school sports, now it’s Ministry of Health on Turning Point! Eagerly awaiting the next Ministry! What a way to run a country!