New substance-use, mental health services coming to Okanagan

Okanagan residents living with mental health and substance-use challenges will have access to new treatment and recovery services as government responds to the rising need due to the toxic drug supply.

Through Interior Health, the province is adding 22 new adult substance-use beds to serve people in the Okanagan. Government is also working with the Interior Health, BC Housing and local service providers to bring complex care housing to Kelowna and Kamloops to support people living with complex mental health and substance use, who have been caught in a cycle of evictions, shelters, and often emergency rooms and jail cells.

“When people with substance-use challenges are ready to take a step toward recovery, they need urgent access to services right here in the Okanagan,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By adding new treatment beds and initiating complex care housing in both Kelowna and Kamloops, we are building a full continuum of mental health and substance-use care for people throughout the Interior.”

Interior Health will work with The Bridge Youth and Family Services Society in Kelowna to open 22 new adult beds, 13 of which will be dedicated to withdrawal management, nine for transition and stabilization care. These new services are part of Budget 2021’s $500-million investment to continue building a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care.