Whereas there are extensive wait lists and limited access for individuals seeking entry to provincially funded residential detox and recovery treatment centres; And whereas individuals struggling with addiction are often required to complete medical detox prior to accessingobtaining rehabilitation treatment: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to improve access to and reduce wait times for individuals seeking treatment for their addictions through medical detox and rehabilitation treatment centres.
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions The Province recognizes the ongoing need to enhance mental health and substance use supports for British Columbians, particularly those in rural and remote areas. We are committed to providing improved access to a range of quality options with medical detox and rehabilitation treatment services being one part of a comprehensive continuum of care. Through Budget 2021, the province has made a historic investment of over 500M in mental health and addiction care with over 132M over three years allocated for adult treatment and recovery services. These funds will support investments in withdrawal management, transition and assessment, specialized treatment and recovery, and aftercare services, representing an additional 195 treatment beds and over 132 new FTE positions, including beds and FTEs to support detox and treatment services. This investment addresses critical gaps in care through increasing access to services, reducing wait times, improving transitions through the system, supporting innovative initiatives improving client attachment and promoting holistic, person- centered and culturally safe services. In addition to the 132M in treatment and recovery funds, Budget 2021 included additional funding to build andor enhance services related to illicit drug poisoning as well as to improve the mental health and substance use system of care for children, youth and young adults. These investments build on new substance use treatment services already underway such as the creation of 123 new youth substance-use treatment beds doubling youth substance use beds in the province and more than 100 new adult treatment and recovery beds that are being added throughout the province. We are actively working with health authorities, who are responsible for delivering substance use treatment services in the province, to plan and implement these new and enhanced services. Through collaboration with health authorities, local governments, indigenous communities, and organizations, we believe the investments of Budget 2021 will lay the foundation for a comprehensive substance use system of care in British Columbia.