A specialized mental health and addictions team has been created in Powell River to provide additional support for people using illicit drugs.
In February, BC minister of finance Michael de Jong announced as part of the provincial budget that $165 million would be added to BC Ministry of Health’s already approximate $1.45 billion of annual spending for mental-health and substance-use supports.
Vancouver Coastal Heath (VCH) manager of mental health and addictions Nora Koros said the additional funding has allowed Powell River General Hospital to create an intensive case-management team to assist people with moderate to severe substance use connect with health care services in a preventative, proactive manner.
“The idea is that if you do something beforehand, then they are getting better care and not ending up in the emergency room,” said Koros.
Koros explained that prior to the team being established, her department provided mostly office-based services, with a few exceptions for patients with severe and persistent mental illness. That meant if someone required help, they would have to come to the hospital and make an appointment to see a counsellor, she said.
“This doesn't always work,” said Koros. “For a lot of people using substances, their lives can become quite chaotic and keeping track of appointments is difficult.”
The community-based team is available seven days per week and includes registered psychiatric nurses Kate Hodgson and Paddy Treavor and outreach worker Joline Palmquist.
The team will act as resource navigators and help substance-users connect with a range of health-care services, including family doctors, nurse practitioners, addiction treatment and counselling, as well as broader, non-medical services such as housing and employment.
In addition to funds for the intensive case-management team, the provincial government also announced the addition of a transitional bed for Powell River residents, but located in Courtenay.
Operated by community non-profit Comox Valley Transition Society, one bed has been opened up to offer supported recovery for women. Koros said women can access those services through her office.
Powell River men have access to recovery beds at Comox Valley Recovery Centre. VCH does not provide any detox beds locally.
City of Powell River councillor Maggie Hathaway said that while the intensive case-management team will contribute to the greater well-being of at-risk populations, the local conversation about what can be done to reduce the number of people dying from drug overdoses still needs to take place.
It is estimated that more than 10 overdose-related deaths occurred in Powell River in 2016. A town hall meeting on the topic is planned for May 11 at Community Resource Centre.
“We're trying to get information out there as to what people can do if they suspect their son or daughter is a user,” said Hathaway. “Most people don’t even know there are naloxone kits available.”
