The Province has provided $500,000 to Turning Point Recovery Society to support those experiencing substance abuse on their path to a better life.

Health Minister Terry Lake made the announcement at the organization’s Making Recovery a Reality gala in Vancouver, which featured singer-songwriter David Crosby as guest speaker.

“We know that addiction is a significant health challenge and organizations like Turning Point help those living with substance use issues on their path to recovery in a safe and supportive environment,” said Lake. “This investment reflects government’s commitment to make sure that supports are in place at the community level to help vulnerable British Columbians overcome these challenges and move toward a better future.”

Turning Point has supported more than 3,500 men and women with problematic substance use issues since its inception.

“Turning Point thanks the Government of British Columbia for acknowledging the important work we do with our partners in Richmond and for helping us to make recovery a reality for those we serve,” said Turning Point Recovery Society executive director Brenda Plant. “We are especially grateful for the support of the Ministry of Health in the expansion of the recovery programs we provide to ensure that anyone with addiction and mental-health issues, no matter their circumstances in life, can access services at any point along the continuum of care.”

The funding will help Turning Point continue to provide supports and services to men and women in the Lower Mainland living with the challenges associated with mental health and substance use. 

Established in 1982, Turning Point is a non-profit organization that provides a supportive, abstinence-based residential environment for people to recover from substance use. It offers 49 beds in five homes for men and women aged 19 years and older in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Richmond. Clients spend three to five months in the program, receiving support with their recovery through counselling and programs like art therapy, fitness and nutrition planning. The organization also offers domestic violence services, which focus on prevention and intervention for victims and families who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault.

In 2015, the ministry provided $800,000 to Turning Point to support the society’s renovation of its Vancouver site and expansion of its second-stage transitional housing units.

To ensure the Province’s range of mental-health and substance-use programs work effectively together, an integrated, cross-government mental-health and substance-use strategy for B.C. is being developed. The goal is to address key gaps in the current system and ensure individuals and families can access support services early, before they find themselves in a crisis.

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Learn more:

More information on the Turning Point Recover Society can be found at: www.turningpointrecovery.com

To find out more about provincial mental-health and substance-use supports, visit: www.health.gov.bc.ca/healthy-minds/