A new recovery program is starting up in Lloydminster with the support of the Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation. Residents in Recovery will assist people in the community who are struggling with addictions.
On Wednesday, a cheque of $9,500 was presented to the new program to help kick-start their fundraising campaign. CEO of LRHF Malcolm Radke says they realized very quickly after talking to people on the front lines such as the RCMP that there was a need for additional support.
“It keeps them out of the ER room, it keeps them out of the RCMP station and keeps them out of long-term addiction treatment beds. All those things are very expensive for our society to bare those costs. A small investment on the preventative side can keep a lot of people out of those beds.”
The program is looking to add a sober living housing complex, as well as addictions programming to bridge the gap of continuum care for addictions treatment. Board Chair of Residents in Recovery Leslie Graham says the first step of their program is having someone go through detox then go into their programming.
“Once they go into their treatment sometimes once they’re done they come out and they’re back to the exact same position so we have aftercare. For the year after their treatment program, they can come in and live with us in our housing program where they will be completely supported, rehabilitated and shown a better way to live.”
Graham says they are still in the community support phase and building their programming, but hope to start funding for the housing complex in the new year. It will cost about $500 to get one person through their programming.
The program is going to be opening up a location downtown at 4804 50 Avenue. Program Director for Residents in Recovery Tyler Lorenz says it’s important to have a central location for easy access.
“Guys from the men’s shelter, women from the Intervale home, as well as people that are utilizing the Olive Tree and other community resources downtown. It’s important that we’re seen as an open and non-judgemental place that they can come for support and have easy access anytime to get to us.”
People wanting to support the program can donate through the LRHF website.