Island Health is proposing a residential treatment facility near Parksville City Hall on McCarter St. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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PARKSVILLE — A residential addictions facility is envisioned in the edge of downtown Parksville, as Island Health reports rising mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Island Health representatives introduced their plan during a Monday, June 19 council meeting to rezone an existing building at 188 McCarter St. in favour of an around the clock staffed 19-bed facility.

Elizabeth Driver, the health authority’s manager of mental health and substance use services in Parksville, told councillors there is a lack of close-to-home options for central and north Vancouver Islanders to get the help they need.

“Long wait times for existing services puts people at risk for overdose, death and other negative impacts on their wellness, relationships and society,” Driver said during the presentation.

A six bed facility for women in Victoria is the only abstinence treatment facility offered by Island Health on Vancouver Island, Driver noted.

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She outlined support groups, therapeutic counseling and relapse prevention are among the services that would be provided at the Parksville facility where attendees would spend a maximum of three months.

If re-zoning is approved, Island Health pledges to establish a good neighbour agreement.

Open houses and town hall meetings would also be staged, Driver said.

Enhanced exterior video security would be included as part of the offering, to be located on the corner of McCarter St. and Jensen Ave. E near Parksville City Hall.

A staffing level of nearly 30 employees was revealed, including an on-site leadership team and administration.

Nursing staff would be in place at all times.

Clinical counsellors, Indigenous support worker, psychologist and occupational therapist would be among the staff contingent.

Lesley Howie, director of mental health for Island Health, doesn’t forsee attracting the necessary staff being a problem.

She said they’ll be able to draw on staff from neighbouring communities given Parksville’s central location.

“A lot of our staff as a bigger group they shift from community to community, so we’re anticipating some of that, but we also know people will come to (the) centre island from the mainland,” Howie said.

Island Health said a long-term lease would be established for the facility, which would require renovations, primarily interior alterations.

The City of Parksville’s communications manager Deb Tardiff stated councillors deferred first and second reading, noting Island Health was referred to several local entities for comment, including Oceanside RCMP.

Island Health was also directed to host an open house and consider preparation of a restrictive covenant.

The application requires a public hearing to be held.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes