VICTORIA, B.C. - The B.C. Green Caucus is thrilled with today's announcement of the new wellness and recovery centre in Cowichan Valley. The new centre will be located at 5878 York Road, Duncan and is set to open in fall 2020.
Services will include support for people living with addiction and mental health concerns and will bring together primary care, harm reduction, case management, overdose prevention, and on-site treatment in one location. The new centre will give individuals a greater opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.
"This project is representative of how much can be achieved when a community comes together and advocates for each other," said B.C. Green MLA Sonia Furstenau for Cowichan Valley. "This has been a hard, long-fought campaign by the people of Cowichan and I cannot express enough my gratitude and appreciation for everyone involved."
In October, 2019, the Cowichan Leadership Group - whose membership includes mayors from the region, Chief Seymour of Cowichan Tribes, MP Alistair MacGregor, MLA Furstenau, school district representatives, Island Health, and the RCMP - invited Minister Judy Darcy to tour Cowichan facilities and services to better understand the urgency for addictions treatment and wellness supports in the Cowichan Valley. Together with front-line mental health workers, the Leadership Group presented a proposal to the minister for augmented services. This proposal was initially denied. Earlier this spring, the Leadership Group followed up with letters to every provincial ministry asking for their help in finding solutions to an escalating problem related to addictions issues in the Cowichan region.
"In the midst of these very troubling and challenging times, it is reassuring to know that there are services and facilities planned for the Cowichan Valley," said MLA Furstenau. "Having one centre for these services will significantly contribute to the health and wellness of our entire region. Once complete, anyone in need of mental health and substance use supports will have an easily accessible and safe place to go."
Island Health has confirmed that overdose prevention services will continue to be located at 221 Trunk Road and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association - Cowichan Valley, until the Centre opens. The service is open 7 days a week from 1-7 p.m.
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Acting Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]