The Pour Update : Treating Alcoholics with Wine - The Fifth Estate

It starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. It’s called “the pour” -- an hourly dose of wine that’s given to chronic alcoholics. It’s a bold move, but still a controversial way to deal with alcoholism.

It’s known as the Managed Alcohol Program, and Ottawa is one of eight cities across Canada that has adopted the program.

Mark Kelley first visited the Oaks a year ago -- a former hotel that is now home to about 50 residents who are given a new chance at life: a permanent home, health care they desperately need, food, friendship and, of course, alcohol.

On this journey, we catch up with some residents to see where they're at now: Jimmy, whose story went viral when we told it last December with 2.5 million views on Facebook; an Inuit artist who has found new hope; and the doctor behind it all who now plans to devote even more time to the program.

Alcohol doesn’t discriminate -- it can devastate the lives of the poor and the privileged.

Ottawa’s program is winning the attention of doctors, politicians and treatment centres across the country -- and around the world. The same question remains across borders: whether the drink that has destroyed so many lives could now help save them.

---

Subscribe for more videos from The Fifth Estate

Connect with The Fifth Estate online :

About the fifth estate : For four decades The Fifth Estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Bob McKeown, Habiba Nosheen, Gillian Findlay and Mark Kelley continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. the fifth estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians – delivering a dazzling parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.