The operators of a non-profit rehab centre in Logan Lake say more funding and an improved funding model is needed from the province – something the Mayor of Kamloops agrees with.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Ken Christian says helping people dealing with mental health and addictions issues is a complex task and it needs a lot of partners and thinks we need to make it more of a priority.

“Whether or not it’s the model that VisionQuest uses or whether or not it’s a more risk based approach is up to the clinicians to decide, but one thing is very clear – not enough is being spent in terms of people who are in crisis on our streets,” he said.

VisionQuest executive director Megan Worley told council she wants the provincial government to fund based on the amount of programming offered. She says they gets $35.90 per day for each client, which works out to about $1,100 per month per client.

Christian says it’s clear, not enough is being spent in terms of people who are in crisis in our streets.

“You have to look at access to drug supply, you have to look at detoxification, you have to look at treatment and then you have to look at rebuilding peoples lives,” he said. “That’s a complex task and it needs a lot of partners in terms of how it’s done and I just think we need to make that more of a priority.”

Kamloops councillor Denis Walsh also noted that the low amount of funding from the province for a full-circle treatment centre like VisionQuest is embarrassing.

“To me, your biggest challenge is the pittance of the funding you get. It’s almost a farce,” he said on Tuesday. “If you’re in jail, it’s an average of over $10,000 a month. And you’re getting $1,100.”

This week also saw the release of overdose death numbers for September with 127, seven of which were in Kamloops. Christian says council has been screaming about this issue and asking people who more can it do to address the issue.