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Denis Coderre pledges to study ‘wet shelter’ for homeless alcoholics

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Jonah Aspler/Global News

The incumbent mayor of Montreal says he wants to look into setting up a wet shelter to help homeless alcoholics deal with their drinking problems.

READ MORE: Montreal mayor hopeful after feds move to make it easier to set up safe-injection sites

Denis Coderre pledged to study the possibility of a wet shelter for the destitute as he focused on the homeless during campaigning Wednesday for next month’s municipal election.

READ MORE: Montreal mayor pledges to open injection sites even without federal approval

The shelter allows alcoholics to consume under supervision with the aim of gradually reducing their dependence on alcohol.

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READ MORE: Advocates of Quebec safe drug injection sites expect approval from Liberals

The concept already exists in Ottawa and Toronto and works well in those communities according to a spokesman for a network of Montreal homeless shelters.

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A wet shelter would focus on harm reduction similar to safe injection sites for drug users now operating in the city.

READ MORE: Feds update anti-drug strategy, making it easier to open safe-injection sites

Nakuset, the executive-director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, says the Ottawa shelter would be a good model.

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