New mental health and substance use services in Prince George will become a reality.
Today (Monday), Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the city’s new sobering centre located on 1201 1st Avenue is expected to open this fall.
The new facility, will consist of eight to ten beds, spanning over two rooms and provide assistance 24 hours a day for people while being monitored by medical staff.
Malcolmson stated this is another pillar in lending to those who need it most.
“Sobering and assessment beds provide a short-term safe place for those battling substance use. The staff here will monitor symptoms of acute intoxication to help people stay safe.”
“The space that we are in here today is being renovated and turned into a much-needed service for the people of Prince George, one that has been called for by municipal leaders, health officials and community members for several years.”
The NDP MLA also noted the early referral results at her home location of Nanaimo have exceeded expectations and hopes a similar trend can be followed in PG.
“In the first month of operations at the Nanaimo sobering centre, 98% of the occupants were self-referred and the other 2% were RCMP referred. That was more than the operator or the health authority had expected. It has already been recognized that there have been fewer occupants of police cells as a result and fewer visits to emergency at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.”
Mayor Lyn Hall expects to see some opposition to the facility’s location based on the social issues downtown, but by and large, he believes is a positive step forward.
“Let’s be fair about this, we are going to hear from some people who would have hoped this particular sobering centre not be located on 1st avenue – I have heard that message but I think once it’s up and operational that is the key for me is to show what it’s all about.”
Hall believes the sobering centre will add to the support that already exists in our region.
“We are not talking detracting or taking away services from a Terrace or a Fort Saint John, this is in addition to from a hub city perspective, this is equally important.”
Colleen Nyce, who is the board chair for Northern Health mentioned now that the facility is secure and under construction, it’s time to look for an operator.
“In terms of the next steps of this project, Northern Health has recently released an expression of interest that will enable the selection of a partner agency to operate this facility. We expect that this operator will be in place this summer.”
In addition, the province is working with partners to bring complex-care housing to the north and assist those who have been caught in a cycle of poverty and crime.
“This new system of care, complex care housing, will connect people to the services that they need right in their own homes. Complex care housing includes direct connections to treatment and specialized care and support from peer workers, nurses, social workers and other health professionals designed to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness,” added Malcolmson.
“Our government believes that everyone in British Columbia deserves a home where they can feel safe and live with dignity. They have historically been left behind – their complex and unmet needs have led to a cycle of eviction, emergency rooms and sometimes jail.”
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