St. Joseph’s Care Group’s new safe sobering beds are ready to open.
The seven new beds will be operational on Monday.
“Our staff have been hard at work since the announcement of $2.9 million in September,” said Vice President of Clinical and Community Health, Andrea Docherty. “It is a collaborative effort, involving staff, clients and partner organizations to make sure we have the right supports, processes, and environment in place. They have done an exceptional job in a short period of time.”
Safe sobering is a voluntary service that provides a safe place for individuals under the influence of substances, such as drugs or alcohol, for up to 24 hours.
The average length of stay is 4-8 hours.
Residents aged 16 or over who are under the influence can use the service when they do not require the level of care provided in the Emergency Department or Withdrawal Management.
Wraparound supports will be available including connections to treatment, mental health supports, traditional healing practices, and other social services.
N’doo’owe Binesi, St. Joseph’s Care Group’s Indigenous Health division, will provide Traditional Healing, system navigation, counselling, and connection to Elders and ceremony, for those looking to access these services.
“Today, we are closing a gap in addiction services,” said President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group, Janine Black. “These spaces represent our collective responsibility to people in crisis, offering the support needed without defaulting to emergency rooms or jail cells, which were never meant to be the front lines of addiction care.”
Construction at the site is still ongoing to allow for more beds.
Upon completion, there will be 15 beds, with the final 8 coming online later in the spring.
The beds are being established through an over $2.9 million provincial investment.
They are located at 500 Oliver Road and will operate alongside Withdrawal Management.
