Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Page: 18
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: David Carrigg

A NEW APPROACH TO DRUG TREATMENT

One-Stop Facility on Powell Street Aims to Streamline and Integrate Services

A two-level blue stucco building in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown 
Eastside is being turned into a first-of-its-kind drug treatment facility.

The former women's emergency shelter at 625 Powell St. is expected to 
open in November this year as Connections, offering one-stop, 
low-barrier treatment.

The centre is an integral part of the Vancouver Coastal Health 
Authority's $59-million DTES Second Generation Strategy, currently 
being rolled out.

Andrew MacFarlane, Vancouver Coastal Health's director of mental 
health and substance use, would not confirm this building will become 
Connections. However, a Postmedia source confirmed the location.

The site is opposite a recently constructed seven-storey low-income 
housing facility, operated by RainCity Housing, and is one block east 
of the Living Room - a merged drop-in centre that is also part of the 
Second Generation Strategy.

"This (facility) is brand new, it's never been done like this before 
and we are really excited," said MacFarlane, who was authorized to 
discuss the project but not the location.

"We are trying to create a welcoming space, not like a medical 
clinic, although there will be doctors and nurses there."

MacFarlane said Connections will operate on a promise that clients 
get addictions treatment within two hours of walking through the 
doors. This is very important because addicts often change their 
minds shortly after deciding to quit.

The facility will have peers and community service workers and be 
open to any one.

"If we have someone who has been discharged from jail and just 
arrived and is unconnected they can come and feel supported," MacFarlane said.

There will also be a pharmacy on-site and referrals can be made to 
outside services offering detox, sobering, withdrawal management and 
counselling.

The Second Generation Strategy aims to streamline and integrate DTES 
health services to deal with the changing demographic of the 
authority's estimated 10,000 clients in the DTES.

MacFarlane said life expectancies have improved due in part to a fall 
in HIV and hep-C rates. However, new health concerns are emerging, 
such as people living with multiple chronic diseases, acute mental 
illness and addiction challenges.

So far, there has been a change in operating hours at the authority's 
supervised injection site on the 100-block East Hastings and 10 
shelter beds have opened at two locations to provide immediate care 
for hard-to-house patients who have just left acute care at St. 
Paul's Hospital.

The authority also recently hired 12 DTES residents with street-level 
experience who will act as strategy advisers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom