NUMBERS OF MENTALLY ILL ADDICTS GROWING

Victoria and other parts of the Island are facing the challenge of
"increasing numbers" of cases of combined mental health and addictions
problems, according to the chief executive officer of the Vancouver
Island Health Authority.

"It's an issue for all parts of our society," Howard Waldner said,
arguing it's simplistic to blame the provincially funded health
authority for the challenges facing mental health services.

The answer to solving the problems faced by people living on
Victoria's streets must involve all levels of government, private and
public sectors, key agencies and community groups, he said.

Sixty per cent of people who present with mental health issues at VIHA
facilities, also have substance abuse problems, Waldner said.

There are 135 addiction treatment beds on the Island and 60 in Greater
Victoria. But of those 60 beds, 20 are actually "thick mats" on a
floor for adults sobering up (12-24 hours).

The other 40 beds are as follows: Seven are supervised adult detox
beds (about 72-hour stay); 10 are stabilization beds (providing up to
two weeks stay); 10 are supportive recovery beds (five for women and
five for men at separate facilities); and finally 13 are youth
addiction beds, according to VIHA.

By mid-fall, the health authority also expects to set up a day detox
treatment centre with about 20 places for people to sober up during
the day with access to medical or counselling professionals and
resource material. However, at night the individual is required to go
home or back on the street.

More than $1 billion is spent each year on mental health and addiction
services in B.C., a 22-per-cent increase over 2000-2001. The total
B.C. health-care budget was $12.8 billion.