Province provides new and expanded substance use teams to tackle overdoses

Jul 13, 2020 | 11:57 AM

VICTORIA—The Province is expanding its substance use teams to help people stay connected to health care services and treatment.

B.C. is investing in seven new and nine expanded substance use teams to ensure that people who use substances and access the health care system can stay connected to a range of care options tailored to their needs.

“We know that most people who overdose have had contact with health services in the months prior to their death.”—Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

“These new teams will help ensure that when someone reaches out for help, they are not left to fend for themselves or sent back out into the community without support. Health professionals will walk alongside them to ensure they are connected to the resources they need when and where they need them,” says Darcy in a release by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

According to the Ministry the services are tailored to the specific needs in each community and are made up of a range of professionals such as nurses, counsellors, social workers and peers to help provide individualized, person-centered care.

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That care includes:

outreach workers that bring services to people and help them get connected to services;
a mix of clinical services and social supports including access to prescribers for safe prescription alternatives to the toxic drug supply;
support for people during transitions to ensure continuity of care;
in-reach services to provide even more support for people with substance use challenges residing in supportive housing, as well as hotels or emergency response centres during COVID-19; and
connections to primary care

The initiative will provide $4.27 million in annual funding, for 2020-21, to regional health authorities across the province for new and enhanced team-based substance use care.

by Veronica Beltran

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Province provides new and expanded substance use teams to tackle overdoses

That care includes:

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