More women living with substance-use challenges on Vancouver Island can benefit from more options to help them with their recovery through 20 newly opened substance-use treatment beds in Victoria.

“One of the most important moments in a person’s recovery journey is the moment they ask for help,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “When they do, it is essential that compassionate and effective care is available. This new recovery centre will change lives by helping more women on Vancouver Island get the right care and support, and is a vital step in strengthening mental-health and substance-use services across B.C.”

The New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community for women in View Royal opened in March 2025. The new treatment and recovery centre provides women, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people who have experienced long-standing challenges with addiction, incarceration and housing instability with holistic care and a supportive community, so they can begin their healing journey. Clients can stay as long as two years, offering the stability they need to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of addiction.

“As a woman who suffered from substance misuse most of my life, I personally know how difficult it was to sever all my ties with my community, family and friends to travel to the Mainland for treatment,” said Lee Sundquist, manager, New Roads Women’s Therapeutic Recovery Community. “The new facility will be a life-changing resource for women. It will help them get the support that they deserve, here on Vancouver Island where they live, and will provide ongoing support when they leave our facility.”

The 20-bed facility is operated by Our Place Society, which is a Greater Victoria organization that provides housing, shelter, substance-use recovery and other vital supports to people in the community experiencing homelessness, mental-health or substance-use challenges, and other vulnerable populations.

“These new, publicly available services will be a vital source of support for women, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people in their recovery journey,” said Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association of BC (CMHA-BC). “The ability to stay for up to two years will allow individuals to recover and heal in a supportive community, at their pace. We are grateful to collaborate with the Province and New Roads to offer this life-changing, person-centred care.” 

In addition to the new treatment centre, substance-use support services for women have expanded in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Kelowna, with 24 additional women-only treatment beds opened in 2024. These new beds make it easier for women to access care in their communities.

The Province is expanding treatment options in all regions of B.C. so that more people can find the pathway to recovery that works for them. Adding bed-based services is one part of government’s work to build up the entire continuum of mental-health and substance-use care for people to get the right support for them.

Quotes:

Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions –

“Treatment and recovery supports should be available to people when they want them, close to home, no matter where they live in B.C. That’s why we are adding more mental-health and substance-use beds throughout the province, like the new women-only recovery centre in Victoria. The new facility will work closely with local partners and help many women in our communities on the path to a healthy and fulfiling life.”

Darlene Rotchford, MLA, Esquimalt-Colwood –

“Expanding access to treatment and recovery care for people in our community is key to helping our most vulnerable community members get the help they need and lead healthier lives. The New Roads centre is going to be a real beacon of hope for women, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people on Vancouver Island, and I look forward to seeing this facility help many people work toward recovery.” 

Dawn Nickel, co-founder, She Recovers Foundation –

“For too long, women struggling with substance use have faced stigma, limited resources and a lack of gender-responsive care. New Roads for women is a vital shift — not just a place to heal, but a foundation for lasting recovery. Our hope is that every woman who walks through the doors finds the treatment she needs and a strong, compassionate community to support her in the years ahead.”

Sharlene Law, executive director, Umbrella Society –

“Congratulations, Our Place on the opening of this much-needed women’s treatment centre. This new facility will fill a massive void in our community and help a population that has previously had to leave our island to access quality, affordable treatment. Thank you for bringing hope and support to the women who are taking those first courageous steps to change.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2017, the Province has added more than 730 publicly funded adult and youth substance-use treatment beds in B.C., including 268 administered through CMHA-BC.
• In January 2024, the Province announced funding for 180 publicly funded treatment and recovery beds in the province through CMHA-BC.
• These new 20 beds bring the total number of beds announced and open to 163 of 180. 

Learn More:

To learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/