Men living with substance-use challenges now have access to more treatment and recovery options with the opening of new treatment beds on the Sunshine Coast.

“When someone makes the courageous decision to reach out for substance-use help, we need services to meet them,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These supportive recovery beds will help men in Powell River and the surrounding areas access community bed-based substance use services closer to home, and are a vital part of our work to help people get the right care for them, no matter where they live.”

Twelve supportive recovery beds provide a range of services, including medical supports, counselling, wellness activities and cultural programming in a safe, supportive trauma-informed environment to support men on their journey to wellness.

"We are grateful to partner with the Province of B.C., Miklat Recovery, and Together We Can in supporting these new recovery beds,” said Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, B.C. Division (CMHA BC). “With no barriers like distance or cost, more people will be able to access help while maintaining their connection to community support systems. This is evidence-based, life-changing care that makes a world of difference for people on their journey of recovery.”

These services are administered by CMHA BC and operated by Together We Can Drug & Alcohol Recovery & Education Society (Together We Can). The beds opened in September 2025 and are operating out of a newly renovated firehall. Eight men are receiving services, with the average stay expected to be about 90 days.

“What an incredible milestone this is – Together We Can’s (TWC) Miklat Arbutus Project should serve as a model for other cities, demonstrating how dormant firehalls and schools can be revitalized into recovery facilities at a time when addiction is overwhelming communities,” said Rob Fitzpatrick, program manager, Miklat Recovery. “We are proud to be making strides toward reducing barriers for those needing access to bed-based treatment services.”

The Province is expanding treatment and recovery options in all regions of B.C. so more people can find the pathway to recovery that works for them. Since 2017, the Province has added more than 760 substance-use beds, bringing the total number of publicly funded substance-use beds throughout B.C. to 3,780. There are now 307 beds open through CMHA BC.

Adding bed-based services is one part of government’s work to build up a full continuum of mental-health and substance-use care, including early intervention and prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services, supportive and complex-care housing and more.

Quotes:

Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions –

“We know that everyone’s journey to treatment and recovery is different – it’s not always linear. For all the pathways to addiction, we need pathways to support as well. These beds will help men with substance-use challenges get patient-centred and trauma-informed care on their way to wellness.”

Randene Neill, MLA, Powell River-Sunshine Coast –

“Everyone deserves access to care. These beds will help so many men on the Sunshine Coast access the help they need in their own community.”

Stacy Wilson, executive director, Together We Can Drug & Alcohol Recovery & Education Society (TWC) –

“TWC is thrilled to expand its footprint in Powell River. This exciting project is the culmination of tenacious vision, hard work and innovative collaboration between public and private agencies. Our existing number of beds was not meeting the demand for services in this equity-deserving region, and we could not be more pleased to address more of the gaps in mental-health and substance-use services for those living on the Sunshine Coast.”

Learn More:

Learn more about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://gov.bc.ca/BetterCare

For more information about Together We Can, visit: https://twcrecoverylife.org

For more information about Miklat Recovery, visit: https://miklatrecovery.ca