Manitoba will spend more than $12 million to increase treatment spaces for those struggling with addictions.

$1 million will go to maximize the capacity of existing community addictions agencies, $2.64 million goes to ad additional medical withdrawal management spaces in Prairie Mountain Health region (Brandon – four beds), Southern Health-Santé Sud (Portage la Prairie – one bed with additional mobile withdrawal support available in the community) and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (Ashern – two beds). The bulk of the funding, $8.8 million, has been earmarked to secure new publically funded treatment spaces.

“We are taking strong action to meet the growing demand for treatment for Manitobans pursuing recovery from addictions,” said Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Janice Morley-Lecomte. “The initiatives announced today will move Manitoba toward the creation and support of up to 1,000 publicly funded treatment spaces available free of charge to individuals seeking addictions care. We are eliminating barriers to recovery by making it easier to navigate the system and increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based services.”

“Not everyone beats addiction the same way. It is important to have options for treatment and counselling,” said Lee Price, a Manitoban who has recovered from an addiction through treatment. “Less wait time is important. It means less chance for the individual to change their mind or decide they can do it on their own.”