Substance use. credit: Unsplash/Itay Kabalo
Vancouver/CMEDIA: More new options including reportedly opening of additional substance-use treatment beds will be available to help as many as 250 people in British Columbia (B.C.) with addictions challenges and have them move toward recovery.
682 publicly funded adult and youth substance-use treatment beds around B.C. including 248 administered through CMHA-BCSince 2017 has been added by the Province.
“When someone reaches out for help with their substance use, they should receive compassionate and effective care…so more people have the support they need to stabilize their lives and begin their healing journey,” Josie Osborne, Minister of Health has said.
Over $1 billion in funding over three years, through Budget 2023 was set out by the Province to strengthen mental-health and addictions care in B.C.
Twenty-six new publicly funded treatment and recovery beds would be accessible to under-served populations to improve their addictions care facilitating people to get treatment without facing barriers, such as travel and cost.
Expanded services are now available at:
- Harbour Light Centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, with 12 beds for women, including transgender and two-spirited, that offer a range of mental-health and addictions services, and connection to community supports.
- Island Crisis Care in Nanaimo, with six beds for women who have completed treatment to get longer-term support with their recovery and rebuilding a healthy life in a homelike setting.
- Karis Support Society service in Kelowna, with six beds providing tailored support for pregnant women and women with children to help reach their recovery goals.
- 333 Recovery program in Prince Rupert, with two beds offering recovery supports for men, including Indigenous cultural-focused programs.
“333 Trinity Men’s Recovery has changed my life tremendously by supporting me to take another direction…I am coming up to one year of sobriety because of the opportunity they gave me to focus on my recovery…By staying in the North, I was able to include my family, culture and community into my healing journey,” Matthew Mark, who attended a recovery program in Prince Rupert has said.
“The toxic drug crisis has claimed far too many lives…These new treatments beds will help more women with specialized care, counselling and cultural-based healing,” Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity has said.
In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division (CMHA-BC), these new beds are part of the government’s ongoing expansion of treatment and recovery services.
“Many people in Vancouver are facing complex challenges…the newly expanded service at the Harbour Light Centre, women can access specialist care …in their community,” Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona has said,
Besides funding 248 treatment beds through CMHA, the Province will also open more by spring of 2025 enabling more people living with substance-use challenges to get the help they need.
“Our vital partnership with the Province has enabled us to help over 2,000 British Columbians access the support they need to get on their recovery journey…these no-cost treatment beds across B.C. communities…new expansion represents our commitment to person-centred…recovery journey,” Jonny Morris, CEO, CMHA BC has said
Treatment and recovery options in all regions of B.C. are being expanded by the province to open people’s pathway to recovery that works for them. As a part of the government’s work, addition of bed-based services builds up the whole continuum of mental-health and substance-use care to support people through every step of their journey
“We want treatment options available for people no matter where they live in B.C….and working closely with local communities and partners, to help people on the path to a healthy and fulfilling life,” Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions has said.
