B.C. Premier David Eby was on the mid-Island on April 9 to announce a first-of-its-kind Indigenous youth wellness centre for addictions and mental health, which will be in full operation by the fall, located at the Orca Lelum Society building. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

addiction support

New Indigenous youth detox centre planned for mid-Island

Apr 9, 2024 | 3:11 PM

SNAW-NAW-AS — A first-of-its-kind treatment centre aimed at Indigenous youth struggling with drug addiction and mental health support will be fully operational by this fall.

The Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre in Snaw-Naw-As First Nation territory will be the first on the Island to offer detox services for Indigenous youth, with $7.1 million provided by the province for renovations, with another $1 million coming from Island Health.

Premier David Eby, speaking at a ceremony at Orca Lelum Wellness Society, said the Indigenous-led work done at the society is a “shining a light of hope into this crisis”, eight years after the province declared toxic drugs a public health crisis.

“Indigenous people are six times more likely to die of an overdose in this province, and that’s why it’s so critical that we’re working in partnership with First Nations leadership to respond to the crisis because we can only address this together.”

The youth centre will provide 20 beds for Indigenous patients between the ages of 12-18, with services starting in June in a phased approach, with the youth centre fully operational in the following months.

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Programming will include holistic live-in and culture-based healing practices, with half of the beds reserved for short-term detox and stabilization, while the other half will support young patients through a 10-week program.

The detox program also accepts drop-ins as well as regular intake, with specialized trauma and grief services will also be provided.

Eby said the local First Nation and community members came up with the incentive and opportunity for this treatment option, something they hope will inspire other First Nations across the province.

“That is really what we hope to do across the province in terms of Indigenous health initiatives, health and wellness, addiction and mental health supports, is to empower Nations to bring forward those proposals that are going to best serve them.”

Youth advocate with Orca Lelum Kaitlyn McMahon-White (front) said what they’ll be able to offer youth will be more than a service but “a pathway for our youth to feel empowered and connect to community, culture and the land.” (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Youth advocate with Orca Lelum Kaitlyn McMahon-White spoke about how having a community support system helped guide her through her healing journey as a youth.

“It is the culture, the language, and the connection to the land that will provide them with the path moving forward, that will give them the motivation they need to become comfortable and proud of their Indigenous identity… these youth are our future. We can’t have any more slip through the cracks.”

Minister of mental health and addictions Jennifer Whiteside was also in attendance and said Indigenous youth with mental health or addiction challenges face a lot of barriers to treatment, including racism and a lack of appropriate resources.

“Offering supports informed by Indigenous knowledge is key to supporting them on this journey, so they can feel safe and connected to their culture while they focus on their healing in the short and long term.”

More information on the Orca Lelum Youth Well Centre can be found here on their website.

(L-R) Youth advocate Kaitlyn McMahon-White, Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcomson, executive director of OLS Bill Yoachim, Snaw-Naw-as First Nation’s Gordon Edwards, Premier David Eby, board chair of OLS Dr. Robina Thomas, minister of addictions and mental health Jennifer Whiteside and members of the local Snaw-Naw-As First Nation during the announcement on April 9. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow