Surrey gets more beds to fight addictions

B.C.’s Road to Recovery project is adding more Surrey spaces so people can access culturally safe, inclusive addiction and withdrawal care through new services, fewer barriers and easier connections to treatment and recovery.

“Asking for help is a brave first step, and when someone makes that decision, they should be able to access the support they need without barriers,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Road to Recovery removes obstacles, like long waits, distance and stigma, making it easier for people experiencing addiction to access timely, compassionate care that honours their culture, identity and lived experience. It creates safer pathways to recovery and affirms that every person and their journey matters.”

New and expanded services in Fraser Health include 10 new beds at Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre in Surrey, a client transportation van to improve access to those beds for people facing travel barriers, and a full-time senior Indigenous cultural adviser.

New services in the region also include enhancements of regional outpatient programs, such as the Day, Weekend, Evening (DEW) program.

When people are ready to seek support or information about addiction care, they have the option of calling Fraser Health Access Central, a simplified point of contact that connects them to new and enhanced services. Access Central in the Fraser Health region is available seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., at 1-833-866-6478.

“People facing substance-use challenges should be able to access evidence-based care without stigma,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions, and MLA for Surrey-City Centre. “Road to Recovery reflects this commitment by delivering person-centred, trauma-informed and culturally safe services. The expansion of this program will help ensure more people across B.C. can access the support they need.”

More access, fewer barriers

The 10 new beds at Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre will help reduce wait times and increase access to 24/7 medically monitored withdrawal services for people throughout Fraser Health. This growth is supported by additional staff, including:

• physicians
• a senior Indigenous cultural adviser
• clinical staff
• peer-support workers

A new client transportation van, staffed by a health-care worker and peer-support worker, also improves access for those facing travel barriers, particularly in rural and remote eastern Fraser Valley communities. The van operates daily from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. based on individual bookings and intake times.

When individuals are assessed as needing bed-based medical withdrawal management, their transportation needs will also be assessed. Clients who need transportation will be assisted in arranging it.

Day, evening, weekend community supports expanded

The DEW program provides outpatient treatment services and has expanded to include culturally safe, inclusive and trauma-informed supports for Indigenous people and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Fraser Health. People can self-refer by phone Monday to Friday or access services during drop-in hours.

Care is provided by clinicians who specialize in substance-use treatment, including six dedicated staff focused on Indigenous-specific and 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care. Daily groups are offered both in person and virtually, including self-management and recovery sessions for peer support. Rehabilitation and recovery supports are also now available throughout the region through a team of nine clinicians, including occupational therapists, vocational counsellors and recreation therapists, to help people build daily living skills, engage in meaningful activities and maintain long-term recovery.