Clear need for addictions treatment beds, officials in North Bay say

After years of delay, an addictions treatment centre in North Bay is moving forward.

Last month, the province pulled the plug on a planned partnership for a treatment centre on Lakeshore Drive with Canadore College, saying it had lost confidence in Canadore after more than two years of delays.

Friday evening, health officials announced 39 addiction treatment beds would open in the spring through a new partnership with the North Bay Regional Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association North Bay and District. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

Friday evening, health officials announced 39 addiction treatment beds would open in the spring through a new partnership with the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association North Bay and District (CMHA).

"Families in North Bay and the Nipissing District will have access to safe, timely and comprehensive recovery services and treatments," Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said.

Mary Montgomery, the CMHA's chief operating officer in North Bay, said it's time to make progress,

"The need is there," Montgomery said.

"Anybody that has to walk down Main Street sees the need is there. We have people in the community that are suffering that require, longer term treatment."

The 39 beds will be located within current facilities run by the hospital and CMHA and include nine new withdrawal management services beds, 10 new intensive addictions treatment beds and 20 new supportive recovery beds.

Montgomery said the organization is confident in its ability to run the addiction treatment program.

Friday evening, health officials announced 39 addiction treatment beds would open in the spring through a new partnership with the North Bay Regional Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association North Bay and District. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

"We already provide this service and it's really just an extension of our existing services," she told CTV News.

"We are an evidence-based service. We're confident that we're going to make this happen."

CMHA will be bringing on a team of clinical staff, including nurses, psychotherapists and mental health and addictions case managers.

Ontario’s Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the beds are an important part of the government's plan to "provide more people with the right care, in the right place, no matter where they live."

"I want to thank MPP Vic Fedeli for his advocacy to ensure these critical services remain in the region, connecting people to the care and support they need, close to home, for years to come," Jones said in a statement.

The hospital and CMHA expect to have 34 of the beds in service by the end of March, with the additional five beds open by June.

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"We have our first 90-day bed programs," Montgomery said.

"That's intensive addiction treatment and then we also have our second supportive addiction treatment. That will be six months to two years."

It's unclear what will happen to the former location on Lakeshore Drive.

The province said it’s looking to work its partners to deliver the another 14 beds down the line.