Minister of mental health and addictions Sheila Malcolmson is involved in the expansion of available treatment beds since they were previously announced. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

recovery

Influx of recovery & treatment beds expected in Nanaimo

Feb 10, 2021 | 6:03 AM

NANAIMO — A suite a new treatment and recovery beds are inbound for the Nanaimo area.

The ministry of mental health and addictions announced on Tuesday, Feb. 9 there will be 15 new beds operated by the John Howard Society of Nanaimo.

“There’s more to do, but we are working hard to build up a strong system of addictions and mental health care,” minister and Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson said in a release.

Up to 70 beds across B.C. were announced in the summer of 2020, expanded to 105 in Tuesday’s announcement.

It’s unclear how many beds were previously expected at the John Howard Society.

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Five treatment beds operated by the John Howard Society sat empty due to a funding gap for a significant amount of time.

At the time nearly one year ago, operating the five beds was expected to cost roughly $70,000.

Five new beds are also designated to the for-profit Edgewood Treatment Centre.

Six beds will be operated in Port Alberni and two in the Comox Valley.

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