A community open house on July 10 will be giving Chilliwack residents their first look at the emerging vision for a 20-bed treatment and recovery centre for youth.
The treatment centre could be in place by early 2020, as a joint project of BC Housing, Fraser Health and Pacific Community Resources Society.
Last year, 23 young people lost their lives in the overdose crisis, underlining the desperate need for such a facility.
The residential treatment centre will focus on Fraser Valley youth aged 13 to 18 years old, and it’s the first of its kind in the region, to support young people with addictions, using a team centred approach.
BC Housing, which purchased the property for $1.7 million, submitted a rezoning application to the City of Chilliwack for the next phase of the project.
The facility is geared to offering licensed treatment and recovery services for teenagers in Fraser Health area with drug and alcohol addictions.
“The program will be created with input from youth with lived experience and their parents, and would include comprehensive assessment, treatment and recovery for up to six months for a maximum of 20 youth at one time,” according to project information.
“The team-based approach will include residential addictions workers, clinical counsellors, nurses and a recreation lead. They will work with youth to develop individualized growth plans to address their addiction and mental health, while developing the skills necessary to maintain wellness. Staff at the centre will also work with community-based teams to ensure youth are well supported prior to treatment, and upon their return to the community.”
Fraser Health has contracted PCRS to run the youth recovery centre, which will work closely with Fraser Health mental-health and substance-use staff in supporting the needs of each patient. Funding for the construction of the facility has been provided by BC Housing, while Fraser Health is funding its operations.
A Community Open House will be held on Tuesday, July 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tamihi Room in the Travelodge/IHOP at 45466 Yale Road, in Chilliwack.
@CHWKjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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