ADDICTION SERVICES BETTER

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.

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.

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.

- - Vancouver Island Health Authority