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March 9, 2010
COMOX VALLEY – The Vancouver Island Health Authority has partnered with the Comox Valley Transition Society to improve access to addiction services for women.
VIHA is providing the Transition Society with funding to open a community detox bed and two supportive recovery beds in the Comox Valley. This new service will provide a safe, supportive environment for adult women who require non-medical detox and/or residential support to work through complications arising from the misuse of alcohol or other drugs.
“One of the most important things we can do for women who are facing addiction challenges is to provide them with a safe and supportive environment to ensure they recover effectively,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae.
“Improving access to addictions services for women is a key priority for VIHA,” said Jac Kreut, VIHA Board Chair. “These new services will give more options to women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.”
Women can access the new service on referral by VIHA’s Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Community Addiction Team or the Substance Abuse Intervention Program. Recovery support workers will work closely with clients in a variety of areas, among them, assisting clients in following their treatment plan, facilitating participation in healthy recreation and accompanying clients to appointments.
“The Comox Valley Transition Society has long been an advocate for addiction services for women,” said Heather Ney, Executive Director of the Society. “The need for services for women recovering from substance misuse is great, and we are thrilled that VIHA has provided the funding that will allow us to provide these beds for women in a safe and supportive environment.”
Funding for these new services is the result of $100,000 in budget reallocations from within VIHA’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. A part of this reallocated funding is also being used in the Comox Valley to support a Mental Health Peer Support Program. This program provides an opportunity for people experienced with recovery from mental health issues to share their knowledge and provide friendly support to clients of mental health services.
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Contact:
Val Wilson, VIHA Communications, 250-739-6303 |
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