Addictions treatment

Island Health is seeking a zoning and bylaw amendment, to permit a 19-bed addictions treatment centre at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Parksville residents voice support, concern with proposed treatment centre

Zoning and bylaw amendment sought by Island Health for 19-bed facility

 

Homewood Ravensview in North Saanich is one of four facilities on Vancouver Island opening new publicly-funded substance-use treatment beds. In total, 40 new beds are available. (Courtesy of Homewood Ravensview)

40 new publicly-funded treatment beds now available on Vancouver Island

Beds opened in North Saanich, Cobble Hill, Nanaimo and Port Alberni

 

Joshua Ritch shows off the sweat lodge area during a Sept. 14 tour of the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal. The facility received $4.4 million from the province on Oct. 17. (Black Press Media file photo)

View Royal addiction recovery centre to support 330 men with B.C. funds

Province announced $4.4 million for New Roads’ range of recovery services

 

Joshua Ritch proudly shows off his position as house leader, earned through his success in the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community program and his dedication to supporting his fellow residents, during a media tour of the View Royal facility Thursday (Sept. 14). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘I have a new life’: View Royal rehab community a success amid drug crisis

New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community proves value of spreading unique model

Joshua Ritch proudly shows off his position as house leader, earned through his success in the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community program and his dedication to supporting his fellow residents, during a media tour of the View Royal facility Thursday (Sept. 14). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Island Health has proposed a 19-bed addictions treatment facility at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (File photo)

Parksville addictions treatment centre open houses planned

In-person open house set for Aug. 2 and virtual session on Aug. 9

Island Health has proposed a 19-bed addictions treatment facility at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (File photo)
B.C. Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in Chilliwack announcing $3 million expansion of mobile integrated crisis response teams to Chilliwack, Abbotsford and seven other B.C. communities. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. expands crises response teams to 9 communities

Mobile Integrated Crisis Response teams are coming to nine additional communities for a total of 21

B.C. Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in Chilliwack announcing $3 million expansion of mobile integrated crisis response teams to Chilliwack, Abbotsford and seven other B.C. communities. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions, here seen in Surrey, announced $1.73 million for a pilot project that will provide after-hour mental health services for youth receiving treatment at (Anna Burns/Black Press Media)

New B.C. pilot project aims to help youth in crisis

Province spends almost $2 million on expanding services at BC Children’s Hospital

Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions, here seen in Surrey, announced $1.73 million for a pilot project that will provide after-hour mental health services for youth receiving treatment at (Anna Burns/Black Press Media)
Youth struggling with drug addiction in British Columbia will receive additional support, but the province remains behind goals set in 2020. (Contributed)

B.C. remains behind on treatment bed goals, despite more support announced

Eighteen beds in Surrey will serve young men from across B.C. and seven more Vancouver youth

Youth struggling with drug addiction in British Columbia will receive additional support, but the province remains behind goals set in 2020. (Contributed)
Island Health has proposed a 19-bed addictions treatment facility at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

19-bed addictions treatment facility proposed for downtown Parksville

Council hears presentation from Island Health regarding facility

Island Health has proposed a 19-bed addictions treatment facility at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
More than 200 people turned out to Diana Krall Plaza Thursday, April 27, to demand action on social disorder. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Hundreds gather in Nanaimo to demand action against crime and social disorder

Rally was one of seven held across B.C. to send message that ‘enough is enough’

More than 200 people turned out to Diana Krall Plaza Thursday, April 27, to demand action on social disorder. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The BC Housing project fronting Skaha Lake Road is ready to take residents in June. The recovery based model may be the first of its kind in B.C. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton’s new recovery housing may be first of its kind in B.C.

The BC Housing will be run by Ooknakane Friendship Centre and Ask Wellness

The BC Housing project fronting Skaha Lake Road is ready to take residents in June. The recovery based model may be the first of its kind in B.C. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
The manager of Threshold’s Supportive Recovery Program, Kacie Stirrett opens the door to the house to show off the home’s common areas. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Recovery for youth who use drugs looks different – here’s how one program in Victoria does it

Threshold Housing Society’s youth recovery program in Victoria is helping young people who use drugs

The manager of Threshold’s Supportive Recovery Program, Kacie Stirrett opens the door to the house to show off the home’s common areas. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
A new 16-bed mental health evaluation and treatment facility has three double- and 10 single-bed rooms. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror

‘Quite remarkable’: B.C. commits close to $1 billion for mental health, addictions

Investment standout piece from $6.4-billion health-care spending promise

A new 16-bed mental health evaluation and treatment facility has three double- and 10 single-bed rooms. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)

Victoria addiction treatment and recovery options are limited, creating gaps in care

Recovery advocate Guy Felicella says access to treatment needs to be easier to save more lives

Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)
Travis Baker, assistant professor at Rutgers University-Newark’s Centre for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, is developing technology to treat substance-use disorders. (Photo submitted)

VIU alum now working abroad researching magnetic stimulation to treat substance abuse

Nanaimo’s Travis Baker earns $2.5-million grant for research at Rutgers University-Newark

Travis Baker, assistant professor at Rutgers University-Newark’s Centre for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, is developing technology to treat substance-use disorders. (Photo submitted)
St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver will soon be the site of a fast-tracked addiction treatment program, Premier David Eby announced Nov. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A fast track to addiction treatment is coming to Vancouver’s downtown hospital

St. Paul’s sees a high volume of patients suffering from mental health crises and drug poisonings

  • Nov 28, 2022
St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver will soon be the site of a fast-tracked addiction treatment program, Premier David Eby announced Nov. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Coastal Sage Healing House at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria will provide six treatment beds for women and non-binary people with moderate-to-severe substance-use challenges. (Courtesy Island Health)

Victoria hospital to house 6 beds for women and non-binary people facing substance-use challenges

Coastal Sage Healing House expected to welcome first participants early next year

Coastal Sage Healing House at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria will provide six treatment beds for women and non-binary people with moderate-to-severe substance-use challenges. (Courtesy Island Health)
In this file photo, B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on May 31, 2022. On Oct. 3, 2022, she announced new supports for people exiting correctional facilities in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. expanding post-prison support services to all 10 correctional facilities

Length of support also expanding from 30 to 90 days

In this file photo, B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on May 31, 2022. On Oct. 3, 2022, she announced new supports for people exiting correctional facilities in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson announces new complex care services coming to Nanaimo. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Complex care announced for some of Nanaimo’s most hard-to-house individuals

Additional mental-health and substance-use care to be offered to those at risk of homelessness

B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson announces new complex care services coming to Nanaimo. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Angie Prescott, manager of Courtenay Community Programs for the John Howard Society of North Island, Courtenay Coun. Doug Hillian, and Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard at the newly-opened Foundry Comox Valley. The facility for youth, located at 575 10 Street in Courtenay, officially opened on Monday, June 6. Photo supplied.

Youth struggling with mental health and substance use get help in Comox Valley

Foundry Comox Valley officially opened in Courtenay on June 6

  • Jun 7, 2022
Angie Prescott, manager of Courtenay Community Programs for the John Howard Society of North Island, Courtenay Coun. Doug Hillian, and Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard at the newly-opened Foundry Comox Valley. The facility for youth, located at 575 10 Street in Courtenay, officially opened on Monday, June 6. Photo supplied.