Campbell River’s new sobering and assessment centre has opened its doors.
The centre assists people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
It’s being operated by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society.
Executive Director Barnabas Walther says the goal is to give people a safe place to sober up and also connect them to services available in the community.
“This is one way of contacting people on the street,” he says.
“Really, when you think about it, people who are living on the streets have a 20 year shorter lifespan than people who do not [live on the streets].
[So] if we don’t intervene and don’t help them get back on their feet and don’t help them become reintegrated into the community, than their life is going to be cut short.”
The centre is located on Dogwood Street and is open 24 hours a day. For more information on the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society, visit:Â vancouverislandmentalhealthsociety.org.
