WHEREAS the Province of BC and Canadian Mental Health Association of BC announced in January 2024 an urgent increase in funding for treatment beds across BC; and
WHEREAS the Comox Valley Substance Use Strategy, informed by local data and lived experience of people impacted by mental health and substance use, calls for the urgent need for local medical detox and treatment services; and
WHEREAS Council has recently met with the Minister for Mental Health and Addiction clearly requesting increase mental health & substance use services, including medical detox and mental health and substance use treatment services.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council request the Premier, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and CMHA-BC urgently prioritize the funding of treatment & detox beds in the Comox Valley from this new funding;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council forward the Comox Valley Substance Use Strategy Phase 2 report and the Walk with Me report along with this request; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council send correspondence to regional government partners to seek letters of support for this request.