B.C. investing $20 million to help mentally ill drug addicts in Vancouver

VANCOUVER – The B.C. government has released a plan to help some of the most difficult patients to support,those with both a mental illness and a severe drug addiction.

Health Minister Terry Lake announced the $20 million program that includes a new psychiatric assessment and stabilization unit at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital.

The program also includes the creation of outreach teams to serve people in the impoverished Downtown Eastside, an investment in services for homeless youth, five new group homes and a new six-bed inpatient facility.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson welcomes the province’s steps, saying random attacks, police calls and ER visits that involve those with severe mental illnesses has skyrocketed in recent years.

The announcement comes two months after Robertson and Vancouver’s police Chief Jim Chu appealed to the province for help to curb what they said was a mental health crisis on the city’s streets.

Chu said 21 per cent of Vancouver police’s calls involve someone who is mentally ill, and St. Paul’s Hospital has seen a 43 per cent spike over three years in patients with severe mental health or addictions problems.