Fraser Health undermines mental health and addictions treatment with cuts

Cuts announced yesterday by the Fraser Health Authority will hurt those who need services to help them recover from addictions and mental health problems, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU).

The BCGEU represents workers at the Matrix Youth Addictions Program in Maple Ridge where the health authority will be eliminating funding.

"The youth detox program at Matrix helps 120 high-risk young people, aged 16 to 24, each year. Matrix is a pilot project and needs time to work," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.

"Addictions and mental health problems are a growing problem in our society and we cannot turn our back on the people who need these services, especially young people," said Walker. "The B.C. government's statistics show that around 882,000 British Columbians will experience some form of mental health disorder every year. How do these cuts meet their goal of a "comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based system of mental health and addictions services"?

Mental health and addiction services are being cut elsewhere in the province, says Walker.

"In Terrace, the Northern Health Authority has closed the only residential drug and alcohol treatment facility for young people in northwestern B.C.," said Walker, who met with the workers who will be losing their jobs. "In Victoria, the Vancouver Island Health Authority has eliminated staff who were providing help to people with mental health and addiction problems."

"There appears to be a disturbing trend of the government cutting services to mental health and addictions services," said Walker.