Close X
Sunday, March 16, 2025
ADVT 
National

Four British Columbia communities get 26 new addiction treatment beds

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Jan, 2025 05:25 PM
  • Four British Columbia communities get 26 new addiction treatment beds

British Columbia's minister of health says the province has opened 26 new treatment beds for people with addictions in four communities over the last several months.

Minister Josie Osborne says the beds in Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince Rupert and Vancouver's Downtown Eastside are part of 248 treatment beds that are being funded through the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The ministry says the 26 new spots, which are available at no cost to patients, will help up to 250 people, and more beds will be open by spring.

The latest additions include six beds at the Karis Support Society in Kelowna that opened for pregnant women and women with children, and another six spots at Island Crisis Care in Nanaimo for women who have completed treatment to get longer-term support.

A dozen beds have opened at the Harbour Light Centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, which the government says are for women, including transgender and two-spirited people, and two more beds for Prince Rupert's 333 Recovery Program, which offers Indigenous men culturally focused programs.

Osborne says the expansion is aimed at breaking down barriers in rural communities and for underserved groups, so that no one is left behind. 

"When someone reaches out for help with their substance use, they should receive compassionate and effective care," Osborne says in a news release. "We are expanding services across B.C. so more people have the supports they need to stabilize their lives and begin their healing journey."

MORE National ARTICLES

Donald Trump doesn't mention Canada in inaugural speech as Trudeau calls for unity

Donald Trump doesn't mention Canada in inaugural speech as Trudeau calls for unity
Trump's speech offered no clarity on the status of his threat to impose a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on Canadian products on day one of his new administration — part of a massive agenda aimed at leading a deeply divided U.S. on a starkly different path.

Donald Trump doesn't mention Canada in inaugural speech as Trudeau calls for unity

Four cases of salmonella in BC

Four cases of salmonella in BC
The Public Health Agency of Canada says there have been four cases of salmonella in B-C linked to recalled mini pastries. The British Columbians are among 61 cases across Canada of salmonella linked to Sweet Cream brand mini pastries have been distributed at bakeries, hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, retirement residences, and have been served at catered events.

Four cases of salmonella in BC

Additional emergency shelters for Vancouver

Additional emergency shelters for Vancouver
The City of Vancouver has activated additional emergency shelters through Monday night as temperatures drop below zero overnight. Environment Canada forecasted a low of minus two on Sunday in the city and a low of zero for today.

Additional emergency shelters for Vancouver

Mass of Arctic air invades parts of Canada, sends mercury plunging

Mass of Arctic air invades parts of Canada, sends mercury plunging
A mass of cold air that meandered south from the Arctic has sent temperatures plunging across parts of Canada from New Brunswick to eastern Alberta. Peter Kimbell, meteorologist with Environment Canada, says winds circulating from west to east cause Arctic air to occasionally invade the southern latitudes for a few days before retreating north.

Mass of Arctic air invades parts of Canada, sends mercury plunging

Man in weekend drowning found safe: Chilliwack RCMP

Man in weekend drowning found safe: Chilliwack RCMP
Mounties in Chilliwack say a man who was thought to have drowned on Saturday morning has been found safe. A statement from the R-C-M-P says they were called to the Vedder River just before 11 a-m after a man was heard screaming for help and then going silent.

Man in weekend drowning found safe: Chilliwack RCMP

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould
Karina Gould is making her pitch to Liberal grassroots as the best candidate to rebuild and restore Canadians' faith in the party. At 37, she's the youngest contender in the running and the millennial mom says it's time for a new generation of leadership at the top. Here's a quick look at how the rising star in the party arrived at this moment.

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould