Funding strengthens B.C.’s system of substance-use treatment, recovery care

The British Columbia government says a $132 million program that adds staff, beds and services across the province seeks to help people who require substance-use treatment and recovery care.

Sheila Malcolmson, the province's minister of mental health and addictions, says the program will include 65 new or improved services, about 130 more staff and 195 new substance-use treatment beds.

She says some of the new initiatives include a sobering centre in Prince George, an addiction medicine treatment team at Burnaby Hospital and withdrawal services at several locations in B.C.'s Interior.

Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver Coastal Health's chief medical health officer, says the spending will broaden and strengthen care services for people who are seeking substance use disorder treatment.

Malcolmson says the program will also provide addiction treatment beds to support women from the Interior and Island health regions.

It will extend an Indigenous-led alcohol treatment and recovery program in Port Hardy as well.