A new treatment centre for Saskatchewan residents dealing with addictions was unveiled Thursday in Estevan.
The facility located at St. Joseph’s Hospital will have 30 beds — 15 for people recovering from crystal meth addiction, five for people seeking treatment for other addictions, four for pre-treatment and six for post-treatment.
The provincial government provided $1.55 million of funding in the 2020-21 budget as well $1.95 million annualized for the facility.
“We know that addictions and overdoses are an increasing problem that jurisdictions across Canada are grappling with,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said in a media release.
“We have seen the impact that crystal meth addiction has had on people and families across the province. This new centre will save lives and will help Saskatchewan people begin and complete their recoveries.”
The centre also is to create strategies in the use of medication to support crystal meth treatment that then would be applied provincially.
Patients from across Saskatchewan who visit the centre would then be given follow-up care in their home communities after they complete treatment in Estevan.
“Saskatchewan, like many provinces, has seen a dramatic increase in the use of crystal meth over the past few years,” Leila McClarty of the Saskatchewan Health Authority said in the release.
“We are excited to have another treatment option in Saskatchewan, especially one that is focused on treating methamphetamine. We expect it will reduce the wait time for inpatient treatment with individual treatment plans and longer stays as needed.”