The Province of Manitoba announced on Wednesday November 25, 2020 that new women’s residential treatment spaces will be added to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba’s Portage Avenue location when it reopens in December.
The expansion will add seven beds to the residential treatment program with an additional five being added once COVID-19 physical distancing orders are lifted. This will bring the number of beds from 24 to 36.
“The expansion of AFM’s 28-day treatment program to 31 beds will allow more women living with addiction to get the help they need to recover and lead meaningful, productive lives,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen.
Demand for mental health and addictions services for women has significantly increased over the past few years according to the province.
The minister noted that the wait time for access to the in-house residential program can be as much as six months and the new beds are expected to reduce that time by about 26 per cent.
“Females often experience particular challenges and harms related to their substance use including trauma, domestic abuse, human trafficking and exploitation. Investing in evidence-based trauma-informed, women-specific care for females helps to improve outcomes for women as well as their children and families,” said Dr. Ginette Poulin, medical director, AFM. “Increasing our capacity to better serve Manitoba women is paramount and aligns with the evidence as well as the direction of the VIRGO report.”
© News4.ca 2020
