The Editor
Times Colonist

I wish to respond to your editorial of June 24 ("Mental health costs offloaded").

While I cannot speak to the decisions of previous governments on mental health funding that you highlighted in your editorial, I can inform your readers that since 2001, we have increased spending on mental health and substance use by 59 percent. The Government of B.C. spends more than $1.3 billion annually on mental health and addictions - which includes those who once lived at Riverview. Contrary to the statement in Tuesday's editorial that as a result of closing Riverview "the Province is saving money", the Ministry of Health transferred all funding formerly required to support Riverview's operations to the regional health authorities, $21.7 million annually for Island Health, which is being used in the community to support clients.

We recognize the challenges law enforcement is facing with those with mental health and addictions issues. In fact, in November, we announced $20 million in new funding to respond to the immediate and long-term health needs of patients with severe addiction and mental illness. Regional health authorities can access up to $10 million of this new funding to develop specific initiatives for better service delivery in their regions. Island Health's share of this funding is $2 million.

As the Times Colonist also noted on the weekend and in Tuesday's editorial, Island Health is doing excellent work partnering with law enforcement and community agencies through Assertive Community Treatment Teams. Island Health was the first health authority in B.C. to introduce this program in 2008 to provide services in the community to clients, which has expanded to other regions in B.C.

Our work continues to further improve mental health, reduce problematic substance use and address mental illness for all British Columbians through prevention, early intervention, treatment, harm reduction and sustainability.

Terry Lake
Minister of Health
250 953-3547