Provincial government adds eight new substance-use beds in Nanaimo

The provincial government is announcing eight new substance-use beds have opened in Nanaimo.

The Vancouver Island Mental Health Society at Balmoral House will operate four sobering and assessment beds, which opened on April 4, and four stabilization beds at Crescent House operated by Island Crisis Care Society opened on April 11.

This doubles the number of sobering and assessment beds at Balmoral House, and Crescent House now has six stabilization beds, after converting four existing sobering and assessment beds.

The province says these beds will help people connect to services and supports for people with drug or alcohol substance use disorder.

“People in Nanaimo with substance-use challenges need urgent access to services right here in our community,” said Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in a statement.

“These new sobering, assessment and stabilization beds are an important part of the full continuum of mental-health and substance-use care that we are building for people who need these life-saving services.”

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The sobering and assessment beds are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people to access experiencing significant intoxication of drug or alchol.

“Sobering and assessment beds provide a safe place where acutely intoxicated individuals can sleep, be assessed and receive basic services and supports,” said Taryn O’Flanagan, executive director, Vancouver Island Mental Health Society.

“People are supported by a team of staff that are compassionate, non-judgmental and ready to provide client-centred supports to meet the needs of the individual.”

The stabilization beds will provide supports for people for up to 30 days.

“Stabilization beds can be the first step toward a journey to recovery,” said Violet Hayes, executive director, Island Crisis Care Society.

“We provide a place where people can stay for several weeks while they gain some stability, begin to connect with services, and think about what the next steps in their substance-use journey might be.”

The province has provided funding for these beds through Island Health.

“Island Health is thrilled to partner with these long-standing, well-respected social service organizations in Nanaimo,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health in a statement.

“Both organizations work tirelessly to meet the needs of their clients. Island Health is grateful to our community-service partners who play crucial roles in delivering services to clients and building the relationships that are foundational to creating trust and supporting people in the long term.”

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