The province of BC says they’re going to step up and secure treatment within the correctional system for people who need mental health and addictions care.
According to the province, the first centre will open at the Surrey pre-trial services centre and a centre at BC’s only all-female correctional facility in Maple Ridge will also be built, but will need renovations to meet requirements for safety.
Premier David Eby says they’re finally taking action to make sure those who are struggling get the care they need.
“This announcement is the beginning of a new phase of our response to the addictions crisis,” he says. “We’re going to respond to people struggling like any family member would do.
“We’re taking action to get them the care they need to keep them safe, keep our communities safe too.”
Along with refitting correctional facilities in the province, which the government says will modernize approximately 280 outdated beds, it is expected the expansion would also allow an additional 400 mental health beds to be opened in hospitals across the province.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside says the services are badly needed, and they’re looking to address the problem at the root cause.
“We’re now facing a rising number of people who are living with the lasting effects of multiple overdoses and complex mental health challenges,” she says. “They’re tied to social factors like poverty and trauma.
“It’s clear we must do more to provide effective care.”
According to a media release, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth has asked the federal government to take action to help provinces control the growing crisis, and stop the flow of drugs across the border.
“Our ports should never be an enabling mechanism to move illegal cargo in and out of our province,” he says. “It’s time the federal government increase funding, enforcement and investigations at Canadian ports.
“We’re seeing first-hand the impacts of organized crime groups exploiting gaps in enforcement and federal legislation to move drugs into the province.”
The province says this initiative is part of the Safer Communities Action Plan to create healthy communities and make sure everyone feels safe at home.
Groups across BC have been calling on the province and feds to get people the help they need since the toxic drug crisis began. In earlier interviews groups like the Save Our Streets (SOS) coalition have said the government isn’t doing enough to make sure businesses and residents have felt secure.
The province provided no timeline for when the new facilities will be open.
