An investment exceeding $8 million has been allocated to bolster addiction treatment and recovery services in western Newfoundland over a span of several years. Health Minister Joedy Wall revealed the financial backing for the Humberwood Treatment Centre situated in Corner Brook during a recent announcement. The initiative encompasses $3.75 million set aside in the current year’s budget.
Wall emphasized the significance of this funding in strengthening the addiction support infrastructure within the province, noting its far-reaching impact. He stressed the critical timing for individuals seeking assistance and the necessity of timely access to services.
The expansion project at the Humberwood Treatment Centre will witness an increase in capacity from 12 to 18 beds as part of the upcoming second phase. The initial phase will involve the establishment of four short-stay beds catering to same-day or next-day detox admissions, according to an official statement.
The commencement of the first phase is anticipated by the end of the current month, while the timeline for the addition of six beds remains undisclosed as of now. Melissa Roberts, the Regional Director for Mental Health and Addiction Services in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Western zone, highlighted the substantial nature of broadening services for residents in western Newfoundland and beyond.
Teara Freake, the Chief Operating Officer for the Western zone, emphasized the collaborative efforts between the health authority and the government to ensure adequate funding to address service-related challenges. Recruitment efforts are pivotal in enabling the provision of these services, with a focus on early recruitment of professionals entering the field across the province.
Freake underscored the strategic planning involved in aligning recruitment with the graduation cycles of local educational institutions, facilitating the operationalization of new services. Additionally, the introduction of positions for new services may trigger internal staff movements within the system, necessitating local, national, or international recruitment to fill ensuing vacancies.
