People struggling with substance-use challenges in B.C. will have additional treatment and recovery options as more than 100 new publicly funded beds in 14 organizations will soon become available around the province.

“To help people get the addictions care they need, we’re providing more publicly funded treatment and recovery beds,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “We are thrilled that the funding will create more than 100 new public beds in communities across B.C., even more than we anticipated when we announced 50 to 70 beds last summer. There’s more to do, but we are working hard to build up a strong system of addictions and mental health care.”

Of the more than 100 beds, 46 will be new spaces in existing treatment and recovery organizations. The remaining beds will be converted from private-pay beds to fully funded public ones for people who cannot afford private-pay rates and to help cut wait times for public treatment. Funding was allocated in two streams to residential treatment services and supportive recovery services.

“In the northwest, we have too few resources for long-term recovery for men in active addiction and homelessness – dads, fathers, husbands, needing a helping hand up,” said Willy Beaudry, executive director, 333 Recovery Homes Society in Prince Rupert. “This grant is the best news for our society and region and will assist greatly in getting our guys back into the community, with families, into employment and in a lot of cases, their own places.”

The additional beds will increase access to addictions treatment and recovery bed-based services in every health authority by bringing beds into the public system and will help to address long-standing service gaps for Indigenous peoples, women, rural and remote communities, and people transitioning from corrections. Service need, including both rural and remote communities, was also prioritized.

Treatment and recovery beds are an important part of the substance-use continuum of care available for people in British Columbia. They provide safe living environments where people can focus on their recovery journey.

Enhancing B.C.’s response to the overdose crisis is an integral part of A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for building the comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care.

Quotes:

Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division –

"This investment is such an important step toward a vision where more substance-use treatment and recovery supports are available at the right time for more people. Following a rigorous and involved adjudication process, it is exciting to see such a strong pool of grantees announced today, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, our partners and the grantees during the coming months.”

Joel Hughes, clinical director, Edgewood Treatment Centre –

“This announcement could not have come at a better time. The social isolation felt by so many over this past year has had a disastrous impact on those suffering with substance-use challenges in our province. This increase in beds will provide the necessary treatment for so many at a very crucial time and will most definitely save lives and help put families back together.”

Quick Facts:

• The $13 million is being administered through the Canadian Mental Health Association in consultation with the Province and health authorities.
• Eligible service providers included not-for-profit and private service providers providing bed-based treatment and recovery services, including access to medication-assisted treatment (OAT).
• All applicants were part of an adjudication process that included health authorities, service providers and people with lived and living experience.
• Organizations receiving funding must operate in accordance with legislation and be registered or licensed with the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.

For a backgrounder with organizations listed, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/MMHA_BG_Orgs.pdf