B.C. Approves Funding For Greater Victoria Women's Centre

The B.C. government has agreed to pay for a new addictions recovery centre in Greater Victoria that’s desperately needed by women on Vancouver Island.

Our Place Society has been running New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community for men since 2018 – and will now expand to include a separate program for women.

“(It’s) maybe the best piece of news of my working life,” says Our Place Society CEO Julian Daly.

“It’s so desperately needed, especially at this time we’re in the midst of a drug crisis where people continue to die and women continue to die in increasing numbers.”

The publicly funded addictions recovery centre for women will be built at the front of the existing site in View Royal.

There will be 20 treatment beds, which staff hope to have ready by the end of the summer.

Advocates for addictions recovery are thrilled by the new supports – and say more are needed.

“We’ve been crying out and dying for recovery beds and there’s just not many options,” says Umbrella Society’s training and education manager, Evan James.

“Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all and there needs to be as many different options with the least amount of distractions."