Those in Nanaimo who are suffering with mental health and addictions could get more help after the province announced more facilities to help improve access to care.
According to the province, approximately 250 are expected to get help across the province, and with six new beds coming to Nanaimo the province says it will make it easier for those who need treatment to get it.
Minister of health Josie Osbourne says expanding the services in Nanaimo, and across the province, is a priority and no one should be denied access to care.
“When someone reaches out for help with their substance use, they should receive compassionate and effective care,” she says. “We’re expanding services across BC, so more people have the support they need to stabilize their lives and begin their healing journey.”
Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog says although the six beds are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to combat this growing concern.
“This is a big improvement over what we have now, which is basically nothing,” he says. “I’m glad the province is recognizing the seriousness of the issue, but we are talking hundreds to potentially thousands of British Columbians who should be getting treatment.
“I’ve called for the provisions of the beds in community facilities, so that people would not be separated from their families, loved ones or support networks.”
No exact location has been determined for where the beds will be put up, but Krog says he is aware it could generate some public pushback.
“They’ll be welcome in my view, I appreciate the concern that it may generate with some members of the public but it’s not going to get better unless steps like this are taken,” Krog says.
Along with the six beds allotted for Nanaimo, an additional 12 are being put in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, six in Kelowna, and 333 recovery programs are slated to go into Prince Rupert along with two beds offering recovery support for men.
According to the province, since 2017 they’ve added 682 publicly funded adult and youth substance-use treatment beds across the province, including 248 administered by the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC.
