By Greg Fry

Addictions treatment

Sobering and assessment centre in the cards for Prince George

Oct 13, 2021 | 11:52 AM

VANCOUVER — The province has announced a $132 million investment over the next three years for treatment and recovery services.

The Ministry of Health and Addictions is working with health authorities on implementation planning for a full suite of enhancements, including a new sobering and assessment centre in Prince George.

The province says enhancing BC’s response to the overdose emergency is an integral part of a pathway to hope, B.C.’s roadmap to building a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care.

“When a person living with addiction is ready to take a step toward recovery, we must ensure services are available when and where they need them,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“We have been busy patching holes where urgently needed over the past four years. Now, through Budget 2021’s historic investment, we are beginning to make true systemic change. B.C.’s $132-million investment in treatment and recovery will result in significant improvements everywhere in the province, making substance-use care more seamless, better integrated and easier to access.”

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The ministry says this funding will increase services across all regions of the province to strengthen the full continuum of substance-use treatment and recovery services, including withdrawal management, transition and assessment, treatment and aftercare services.

The BC Coroners Service recently reported that in July 2021, there were 184 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths. This is the second largest number of suspected deaths ever recorded in a month (tied with January 2021); only June 2020 had more deaths (186).

In addition to that, the 1,204 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths between January and July 2021 are the highest ever recorded in the first seven months of a calendar year and represent a 28% increase over the number of deaths recorded between January and July 2020 (941).