MORE people with addiction challenges can now access treatment and recovery options free of charge and closer to home with the addition of 180 publicly funded treatment and recovery beds throughout the province.
“People need to be able to access treatment and recovery services close to where they live, without worrying about how to pay for it,” said Premier David Eby on Thursday. “This expansion nearly doubles the number of publicly funded treatment and recovery beds that we committed to, so people get the care and treatment they need, no matter how many times it takes.”
Nearly 100 of these beds are open in several communities, and the remainder are expected to launch in summer. The expansion of treatment and recovery services is nearly double the Province’s Budget 2023 commitment to open approximately 100 publicly funded beds throughout B.C. This will significantly improve access to free addiction treatment throughout the province. Services include counselling services, medication management and live-in facilities to support clients throughout their recovery journey.
“When people take the courageous step to reach out for help, they need to be met with the right care at the right time, close to home,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By expanding access to addiction treatment beds across the province, we are providing more options, closer to home, to the lifesaving care that people need on their recovery journey.”
The Province has nearly doubled the number of beds previously committed to by converting some existing private beds into publicly funded ones, while adding new beds. This means more people can access the help they need quickly without worrying about the cost. The beds, administered by the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division (CMHA-BC), are operated by organizations that are licensed, registered or accredited with the Province to ensure quality standards are met. These beds will expand services for under-served populations, such as those in rural and remote areas, Indigenous people, people who are or have been involved with the criminal justice system, and new or pregnant parents.
A provincial investment of $73 million over three years is funding these beds, and extends the operations of 105 existing CHMA-administered beds to the end of 2027. Together, the 285 beds provide quality treatment and recovery care and services with no out-of-pocket fees for people struggling with addiction challenges. People can be referred from their health-care professional or other organizations. Self-referrals are also accepted.
These new treatment and recovery beds are part of the Province’s work to expand treatment options for people living with mental-health and substance-use challenges and are an integral part of government’s work to address the toxic-drug crisis in B.C. Through Budget 2023, the Province set out more than $1 billion in new funding over the next three years to ensure that people living with mental-health or addiction challenges can find, access and stay connected to the care they need, including $586 million for treatment and recovery services specifically.
Quick Facts:
* From April 1, 2021, until March 31, 2023, 1,002 clients were served through the 105 beds administered by CMHA BC and originally funded through Budget 2021.
* There are now 3,596 publicly funded adult and youth substance-use treatment beds, including the 97 new CMHA beds that are open and serving clients.
* These new beds bring the number of publicly funded substance-use treatment beds implemented since 2017 to a total of 597 with more to come.
