More Pre And Post Addiction Treatment Beds Now Serving Patients Across Saskatchewan

Released on March 15, 2022

Thirty-eight more pre- and post- addiction treatment beds are now operating in Saskatchewan to help people recovering from substance use disorders, including crystal meth, opioid and alcohol addiction.

These new beds are part of a $1 million 2019-20 Provincial Budget commitment to provide an additional 50 pre- and post-treatment addiction beds throughout the province. The first beds began operating in Lloydminster in November 2020 and beds in Prince Albert opened last month. A further ten beds will open this summer in Regina.

The beds support individuals who do not have stable, safe housing in the time between completing detox and beginning inpatient treatment. They also help those who need supportive housing after treatment to maintain and strengthen the gains made during treatment.

“People in Prince Albert and across the province now have better access to the care they need to recover from addiction challenges,” Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross said on behalf of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley. “These pre- and post-treatment beds build on our government’s ongoing work to increase addiction services in Saskatchewan.”

“We often hear from clients and families about the challenge of finding support in those transitional moments between social detox and inpatient substance use treatment, as well as residential after-care resources,” Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services NE Jennifer Suchorab said. “The addition of the pre- and post-addiction treatment beds underscores the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s commitment to growing connected care and the right services at the right time, all within a strength-based, people-centered approach.”

Community-based organizations that provide addiction treatment services were selected in communities across the province to provide additional spaces:

• Prince Albert has eight beds (four pre-treatment and four post-treatment) with services provided by the YWCA.
• Saskatoon has 10 beds (five pre- and five post-) with services provided by Oxford House.
• Lloydminster has 12 beds (six pre- and six post-) with services provided by Residents in Recovery: Sober Living.
• Regina has eight post-treatment beds with services provided by Pine Lodge. Ten pre-treatment beds will be up and running by summer 2022.
• Moose Jaw’s beds are being finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Enhanced residential supports are a key recommendation under Saskatchewan’s Mental Health Addictions Action Plan.

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing a record amount for mental health and addictions services in 2021-22, including an increase of $23.4 million over last year’s budget.

NOTE TO MEDIA:  Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross, SHA and YWCA spokespeople will be available for comments on Tuesday, Mar. 15, 1 p.m., YWCA, Our House, 95 15th Street East, Prince Albert.

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