As a local addictions professional, I read with interest your article in the newspaper about the announced closure of Crossroads Treatment Centre.
I offer a different perspective in so much as I fail to see the need for alarm among Okanagan residents looking to access quality addictions treatment or medical detox services.
Over a month ago, Crossroads’ own press release described a sea of red ink and an unsustainable business funding model as their primary reasons for closing their doors.
The truth is, Crossroads met the needs of a relatively small percentage of all of the people treated for alcoholism and addiction in the Okanagan.
The vast majority of patients have historically been treated by one of the many high-quality, privately-owned facilities in B.C.
We have quality, accessible and effective addictions treatment available in B.C. which is the envy of any other jurisdiction in Canada.
Patients from across North America flock to B.C. due to the concentration of quality facilities.
Over the past 15 years, our firm has helped hundreds of families source out care at a variety of price points.
The fact that one might have to travel a couple of hours to a treatment centre isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, for many reasons, it is ill advised to choose a treatment centre close to home any ways.
I do, however, share Rob Sawatzky’s concern about the loss of local detox beds.
It is important to distinguish between the acute care medically supervised detox and treatment.
Detox stabilizes the patient and supports them through the risk of withdrawal complications.
For most patients, my opinion would be that offering detox without immediately following it with residential treatment is a waste of valuable healthcare resources.
Perhaps this would be a good time for Interior Health to have a discussion about the discretionary use of medical detox.
That being said, there is still a detox hospital in Kamloops, if needed, and each of the private treatment centres referred to above have their own in-house detox facilities.
In conclusion, I would suggest that we ought to be grateful for the services that are available to British Columbians, with or without Crossroads.
Sure, some expanded financial assistance from government would be nice.
But the addictions treatment centres are here, they are accessible and they are effective.
If you are looking for help ask your health care provider or addictions professional.
If he/she is unable to provide you with a long list of options, then call someone else who can.
Darrin J. Taylor,
Board Registered Interventionist
