MLA WANTS MORE DETOX BEDS

Nanaimo MLA Mike Hunter is getting behind a push to expand the only medically supervised drug treatment facility north of Victoria.

Clearview Centre has doctors and nurses available to help addicts through withdrawal around the clock, but with just six treatment beds, it isn't enough for the 50 or 60 patients needing treatment at any given time at the Haliburton Street facility.

Communities Addictions Resource Society wants to move its four existing post-treatment beds for women elsewhere, creating space for more treatment beds.

Hunter is lobbying on behalf of the non-profit society's board to double that to 12.

"As far as medically supervised facilities, this is it," Hunter said.  "There is a pressing need for additional facilities."

The society raised $24,000 for the cause last year, and the federal government committed $200,000 to buy another building, but it's conditional on the Vancouver Island Health Authority paying the annual operating costs.

Hunter supports it, but VIHA ultimately makes the decision.

"I can push and shove, but I don't make budget allocations," Hunter said.

"But I think there's a very strong case here.  My colleagues in other Vancouver Island constituencies have paid very close attention to this, too."

VIHA is currently doing a routine review of all its service providers, and will choose whether to give Clearview additional funding this fall.  Katherine Gow, Clearview executive director, said VIHA knows the issues.

"We've certainly lobbied VIHA as much as we can and they understand there's a need and they're doing their best to find some funding," Gow said.

But she still appreciates Hunter's endorsement.

"He's been one our biggest supporters," she said.