Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

A Kelowna resident has started a petition in hopes of getting a new detox centre in Kelowna.

Kathleen Saunders started this petition because she has seen first-hand what the lack of resources can do to someone who is living with addiction and trying to recover.

“My daughter is now 32 and she has been addicted to drugs since she was 19,” Saunders said. “I’ve tried everything to help her, and she’s tried to get herself clean many times, it’s just so hard.”

There are two public detox centres in Kelowna both are run by The Bridge. One has 14 beds and the second has eight. Unfortunately, the second centre has been closed since Aug. 5, due to a lack of staff.

Saunders hopes this new outreach program might help, but from what she’s seen it won’t suit everybody.

She said another public detox centre is what Kelowna needs because it needs to be accessible to all, and because not everybody is able to stay far away from drugs.

“When you’re living on the streets you know, you might want to get clean but it’s everywhere around you, so you have to be able to go to a detox centre and physically be far from drugs,” Saunders said. “There are more private detox and treatment centres but those are not accessible for just anyone.”

The petition was started on Sep. 22, and now has 133 signatures and she hopes to get as many as she can.

Saunders has already informed the province’s Ministry of Health about the petition in hopes that when enough signatures are collected, he will be ready to act on it.

“Honestly, I’m not sure how many signatures I really need to get this going, all I know is that this is a real issue, and I’m just trying to do something to help,” Saunders said. “Maybe this is not the best solution, I don’t know what the best solution is, but, for now, it’s the best I can do.”

Interior Health offers an outreach program through its at-home withdrawal management program.

“Through the at-home withdrawal management program, one nurse can support up to seven people at a time. People are usually in the program for five to seven days. Not all people need bed-based care for withdrawal management, and we are always working on expanding access to care for people with substance use challenges,” Gavin Halford from Interior Health said in an emailed statement.

For people living with substance addiction trying to recover, the resources are few.

“Our Mental Health and Substance Use staff aim to provide a safe space where anyone suffering can be connected to care that meets their needs," Halford said. "If someone is in withdrawal and experiencing a medical emergency, please go to the emergency centre."

He said people who need help can connect to care with the 811 phone number, their family doctor, a nurse practitioner, a walk-in clinic, an urgent primary care centre or a hospital. He also suggested people go to a local overdose prevention site, a local Mental Health and Substance Use Service or call 310-MHSU (6478).

Those who wish to sign the petition can visit the website here, and people struggling with mental health and addiction can visit the Interior Health substance use support website here.

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