When the current St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital was built in Estevan in 1991, it had an addictions treatment centre in its northeast wing.
Budget cuts under the NDP government in 1997 closed that addictions centre and the space was converted into office usage. A grand opening was held for the new St. Joseph鈥檚 Addiction Recovery Centre, in the same space as the previous one on Sept. 10.
The project is just about ready to receive patients, with the first expected in early October, according to hospital CEO Greg Hoffort. It should be up to full strength by the end of the year. It will have a total of 30 beds 鈥� 15 dedicated for the treatment of crystal methamphetamine addiction, five for treatment of other addictions, four for pre-treatment (detox) and six for post-treatment.
There are 15 new jobs associated with the centre, with the final round of hiring expected next week treatment counsellors have been in place for a month, according to Hoffort. Four local physicians have stepped up to provide medical support.
Health Minister Jim Reiter said the proposal was 鈥淔orward thinking and demonstrated a real connection to the needs of people experiencing addictions problems in Saskatchewan.鈥�
He said the project will make a difference in the lives of people and families impacted by addiction. Reiter said, 鈥淭he Government of Saskatchewan has heard from residents that more needs to be done to support people with addictions challenges. In particular, we have seen and heard the devastating impacts that crystal meth addiction has had on families and people across the province. The journey to recover from crystal meth addiction is difficult, both mentally and physically, but recovery is possible. That's why the government of Saskatchewan has committed to $1.5 million this year plus $1.9 million in annualized funding to establish a new specialized crystal meth centre in Estevan."
鈥淭his new centre will be an important resource for people in need of these services and what helps Saskatchewan people successfully continue on their path to recovery, Reiter added. "The centre will develop innovative protocols and approaches to support crystal meth treatment, which will also be available to other addictions treatment centres across the province.鈥�
One innovative example are the quilts made by the Redvers Quilting Group, which patients will take home with them, as well as their pillows.
The area of the hospital most recently held public health, mental health and speech therapy services. Those are 小蓝视频 relocated. Contractors have been busy doing the renovations since early August, having been delayed by the COVID-19 crisis.
The patients鈥� rooms have three beds each, in contrast to the general trend of private rooms in hospitals. That鈥檚 because the treatment model works on the idea that people dealing with their addictions should not be alone.
There鈥檚 a lecture area, a lounge area and a kitchen area where patients can get snacks any time of the day. Additional meeting areas are in the former mental health area, and there will soon be a small gym, too. Additionally, a solid privacy fence will be built outside, providing patients privacy from outsiders.
Government Relations Minister Estevan 小蓝视频 Lori Carr, who acted as master of ceremonies, noted that 27 years before, her father had the opportunity to go through the treatment centre. 鈥淚t was an excellent program and so valuable to the community and the province. So, to see it transition into a different use and now come back to 小蓝视频 a treatment centre is something that is near and dear to me and my family's hearts.鈥�
She added, 鈥淏eing born and raised here, I saw firsthand how the treatment facility worked years ago and how successful it truly was. And the people that I know that still live in this community are still clean and sober. So, to have this facility back and have the services expanded to crystal meth is really important for our area and the province.鈥�
Hoffort said the project started 14 months ago with a fact-finding mission to Cedars at Cobble Hill, an addictions treatment centre in Cobble Hill, British Columbia. They realized something similar could be done in Estevan. But it wouldn鈥檛 be the first time.
In 1969, the first St Joseph's addiction centre was opened by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Hoffort said. He noted they have received greetings from Dr. Michael Stone, the first ever clinical manager back then, and from Sister Therese Roddy, who sent the flowers sitting in front of the podium. 鈥淪he is just overjoyed that we were able to do this,鈥� he said.
Hoffort said referrals 鈥渨ill come from everywhere.鈥� It will be a provincial treatment facility.
Don Kindopp, chair of St. Joseph鈥檚 local council, said, 鈥淭he field of addiction recovery has made remarkable progress. It is constantly evolving. One such change is that now addiction is widely recognized as a chronic condition, and a progressive disease affecting all aspects of an individual's well小蓝视频. As such, clinical services are adopting strategies similar to treating chronic conditions. This has led to a massive change or shift in culture as successful recovery is now 小蓝视频 measured, not only by abstinence, but by the quality of life in finding solutions to engage and empower individuals in their journey of recovery.
鈥淭he patient plays an active part, or an active role in co-creating the path of their recovery. In an effort to foster intrinsic motivation, patients are encouraged to participate in their own care, and the decision-making process impacting their treatment and continued recovery. This service is a bold and necessary step to provide for the treatment of addictions, here at St Joseph's and Estevan. Thank you for your attendance in recognizing this milestone,鈥� Kindopp said.
Reiter said this centre will be very important for crystal meth treatment. 鈥淚n particular protocols that they develop here can be expanded and will be used around the province,鈥� he said.
One of those protocols is that, unlike other treatment regimes, there will not be a specified number of days, like a 28-day program. Patients will take as long as they need to recover, and that could be two months, as an example, according to Hoffort.
Reiter said, 鈥淲ith in this situation with crystal meth, addictions people, counselors, experts that I've talked to over the last few years have all evolved sort of indicated to me that what worked for other addictions doesn't necessarily work for crystal meth. And it's so important that it has its own type of treatment, its own structure, the treatment here is going to be individualized. You're going to see things like, you know, traditional treatment is 28 days, that won't be the case here. It'll be individualized. So, you'll see a much more customized, if you would.鈥�
Asked about additional treatment capacity for the opioid crisis that has spread across North America, Reiter said addictions treatments beds and post-and pre-treatment beds are 小蓝视频 expanded around the province. He noted there are five treatment beds are part of the Estevan centre for other forms of addiction, not just crystal meth. He said, 鈥淲e're probably going to need to increase addictions treatment capacity around the province. But you know, when you're talking about specific crystal meth and the protocols that need to be developed, you have to start somewhere. And this just seemed like a logical place 鈥� we want to see how this works out.鈥�
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