Interior Health rejects Penticton council’s request to restore funding to addictions counselling clinic

The CEO of Interior Health has rejected Penticton council’s request to restore funding to a well-known addictions resource centre.

Councillors sent a letter to the health authority in September, asking it to restore $500,000 in annual funding to Pathways Addictions Resource Centre. Interior Health brought the funding to an end on May 31 so it can spend the money to offer the same services internally.

“Pathways Addictions and Resource Centre has been a valued service in Penticton since 1975, providing counselling and educational sessions, group programs, online courses as well as harm reduction education,” said Mayor John Vassilaki, in a letter to Interior Health CEO Susan Brown.

He said the defunding of the addictions centre has “weakened paths to substance use treatment and care in Penticton.”

In a letter addressed to council, dated Sept. 14, Brown said the health authority has implemented a phone number for people to call to access services as well as hired new clinicians and expanded healthcare teams to provide substance use counselling services. It’s also created a new treatment team for those who are unable to access services otherwise.

Substance use counselling is also being offered in Keremeos, Osoyoos, Oliver and Penticton, including the new urgent primary care clinic in Penticton, she said.

“It is unfortunate that misinformation and rumour is contributing to frustrations locally, when Interior Health has made it a priority to support a smooth transition for clients and to strengthen services overall,” she said.

After temporary closure, Pathways has reopened with a pay-for-service model, charging $100 an hour for counselling service.

While addressing council in July during a regular council meeting, Interior Health executive director Carl Meadows told council only 10% of Pathway's clients had transitioned to Interior Health's new program.

When asked by Coun. James Miller if he had ever visited Pathways, Meadows responded that no he had not.

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