A plan to get a Sobering and Assessment Centre open at the Phoenix Centre in downtown Kamloops is moving ahead with a push for approval from the BC Government.
A business case presented at City Hall on Tuesday has outlined the need for a 10-bed facility – running 24 hours a day, seven days a week – where vulnerable people can go -or be taken – for a safe place to stay while they’re intoxicated.
JP Baker, a consultant who helped prepare the business case says the facility would likely see self-referrals over time.
“Yeah there certainly are repeat customers – and one of the things the existing centres find too is that in the beginning, there are a lot of times people are brought by law enforcement or by ambulance services but there is a growing amount people self-referring, so they take themselves to these Sobering Assessment Centres.”
Kamloops council, unanimously approving the plan for the long-awaited Sobering Centre, be sent to Health Minister Adrian Dix, Mental Health and Addiction Minister Jennifer Whiteside, and Interior Health President and CEO Susan Brown.
They also approved a move, requesting a response from the ministry, with Councillor Dale Bass suggesting they put a timeline for when they expect a response from Minister Whiteside, within the next few months.
“I do not want to see this thing die or vanish. We need this, we needed it seven years ago, and we need it right now. I know the provincial government does move slowly, but if we can do anything to keep them from moving a little less slowly – that would be super.”
Councillor Kelly Hall says they will not give up on the facility.
“I did notice in the report, that in the year 2022, Nanaimo got their Sobering Centre and in the year 2023 Prince George got their Sobering Centre so in the year 2024, Kamloops needs to get that support.”
The sobering centre is intended to reduce pressure on the RCMP, emergency rooms, and shelters. Hall adds he is eager about the access it creates for detox, treatment, and recovery services.
“What I’m encouraged to hear is the communications aspect that is there for people to engage and to take that next step because it might take 5,6,7,8,9,10 times going; but having that opportunity to one day say – ‘I am ready, help me’ – I think is great.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Nancy Bepple says the creation of a sobering center has long been needed noting a lot of hard work has gone into the case.
“Back in 2014, I brought it up with others on council, and in 2015, there was a meeting with partner agencies that was initiated by a City Committee on the creation of the Sobering Centre. This is not a new initiative, but it is time we try to get it moving. Prince George has a sobering centre and if Prince George has one, then we ought to have one.”
Council also asked that staff obtain a letter of support for the Sobering and Assessment Centre in Kamloops, noting they believe it will help further support their case to the BC Government.