Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP raises concerns on lack of addiction treatment options in the Northwest, calls for Federal support for First Nations led Regional option

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach brought the need for
more addictions services to the House of Commons on Thursday

The issue of more resources for addiction treatment services made its way to the House of Commons this week, with Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach noting. of the high rate of deaths from toxic drug overdoses in Northern BC, noting of the many challenges found in the region to seek treatment options.

Speaking as part of the Thursday Question Period in the House, Mr. Bacrach raised the issue with the Liberal government.

Terrace, B.C., has the third-highest death rate from toxic drug overdoses in our province, yet northern residents are still struggling to access detox and treatment services. 

People often have to wait weeks to get a bed in a facility, and when they do get a space, they have to travel hours away from home. 

The Northern First Nations Alliance has a real plan for a new treatment centre right in northwest B.C. It just needs support with the cost. Will the minister step up and ensure this project is completed as soon as possible?

The reply from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of health, didn't offer up much hope of any immediate funding coming the way of the Northwest, the reply mostly a review of past funding by the Federal Government.

You can review the exchange from the video below:

As Mr. Bachrach noted, the cost of lives from that the toxic drug supply is bringing to the North is on the increase. 

A recent information release from the BC Government relaying how the Terrace area is a community making for part of the concerning trend.

By Health Service Delivery Area in 2022, the highest rates have been in Vancouver, Northwest, Northern Interior, Thompson Cariboo and Fraser East. 

By Local Health Area in 2022, the highest rates were in Lillooet, Cowichan Valley West, Terrace, Alberni/Clayoquot and Merritt.

The Northern First Nations Alliance was formed in 2020 and  has brought together representatives from many communities across the Northwest towards shared concerns, among them are:

The Haisla, Gitanyow, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Gitxaala and the four Nass Valley Nisga’a Nation villages of Gitlaxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts’ap and Gingolx.

The facility referenced by Mr. Bachrach was first introduced by the NFAA in 2021. If it moves forward it would be located in Terrace.

The focus would be to address the growing need for facilities offering holistic detox and wrap-around mental health services in the northwest.

The comments to the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP's social media post on his Q and A in the House would suggest there is strong support for such a facility from his constituents.

More notes on the work of the Skeena-Bulkley ValleyMP can be explored through our archive page. 

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.