Saskatchewan residents can once again access treatment via sponsored beds at the Thorpe Recovery Centre. The Saskatchewan government is now paying for 15 beds in the residential program.
The centre located near Blackfoot just west of Lloydminster also gets funding from the Alberta government.
Paul Richer, who has been board chair over the last three years says Alberta will continue to pay for 45 beds as Saskatchewan comes on board with 15.
“Alberta is modifying its contract to reduce its number and it allows 15 from Saskatchewan.”
The Thorpe Recovery Centre reopened last June with Alberta dollars. Overall, the centre has 60 beds available, however, its detox unit is not open at this time.
“We are still trying to open it. We are working with Alberta Health. One of our challenges is we need someone to prescribe medications. Either a nurse practitioner or a physician who has a background in drug addictions. We have been ramping up our staffing on the medical side in anticipation of it,” says Richer.
The board chair adds the wait time to get into the residential program is two to four weeks.
With the new funding, the total number of treatment spaces under Saskatchewan’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions moves to 183. This includes 14 inpatient addiction treatment spaces at the former Drumming Hill Youth Centre facility in North Battleford.
Anyone wishing to start their recovery journey is invited to call the centre at 1-877-875-8890 or see more information online. Since reopening last June, the Alberta government has covered all the beds in the residential program.
