Ten youth substance-use treatment beds coming to Kamloops

Kamloops is getting 10 new youth substance-use treatment beds.

In-patient treatment beds provide a short-term live-in environment with daily programming to address the underlying causes of a person’s substance use.

The new beds will be available for youth living in Interior Health between the ages of 12 and 18 who have significant and complex substance use challenges, who have not been successfully supported through less-intensive treatment.

The contract has been awarded to A New Tomorrow Treatment Solutions, which is a partnership between Active Care Youth and Adult Services and Dr. Mandy Manak.

The new beds will open this spring and follow the announcement of 10 youth substance use treatment beds in Kelowna. 

In August 2020, the provincial government announced a plan to double the number of youth substance-use beds available in B.C., aiming for 123 new beds provincewide. 

The new beds in Kamloops follow the introduction of integrated treatment teams, expansion of opioid agonist treatment and the ability of nurses to prescribe Suboxone to those with addiction issues.

“These home-like treatment environments will make a significant impact in the lives of youth who need a higher level of support,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO of Interior Health.

“With this investment, we are well-positioned to make a tremendous difference for families and young people throughout the Interior region who need intensive substance use treatment.”

Interior Health said in-patient treatment beds are part of a continuum of care for addiction issues. Others include outpatient-based treatment and withdrawal management.

For more information about substance use services in Interior Health, visit www.interiorhealth.ca.

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