New teams providing the most flexible substance use treatment yet

These interdisciplinary teams provide support that includes: online and in-person counselling; assessment and support in developing personal treatment goals; individual and group counselling; education and self management support; connection to prescription medications for the treatment of substance use concerns; peer support from people with personal experience; connection to cultural supports and/or land-based healing where available; and, personal wellness optimization.

“We work as a team directly supporting the individual person,” says team member Shawna Calhoun. “Our goal is to engage and retain participants who are not already in treatment. They can call or text us directly when they are ready. We work with them to create a treatment plan. We can do substance use treatment virtually, over the phone or using Zoom, or email using the online counselling tool Kelty’s Key.

"We can meet for a walk and talk during the day or evening – we have a flexible schedule so participants don’t need to take time off work. We also have a peer support worker as part of the team. That is someone with lived or living experience, who can do phone check-ins or coffee shop meet-ups.”

The team is available to provide treatment and support for people wanting to change their relationship with alcohol or other substances.

Statistics show that the majority of people who are dying from the toxic drug crisis are using drugs alone in their home. In 2021, 83 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. occurred inside (56 per cent in private residences and 28 per cent in other residences). This population is mostly men. They are employed, they have a home and a family, and they feel they have a lot to lose if they reveal their substance use. Because the illicit drug supply is increasingly dangerous and unpredictable, this secrecy around drug use puts people at high risk of overdose.

The teams are working hard to build their profile and establish relationships, embedding themselves in their respective communities.

“I think the beauty of the Integrated Treatment Team is that we’re working proactively to build relationships. We have partnerships with primary care, pharmacies, and businesses. Someone may see a poster in a pharmacy and call or text us who may not have called or walked into a Mental Health and Substance Use office. We are really focused on that hard-to-reach population,” says Team Lead Jennifer Howes.

To learn more, visit our Integrated Treatment Teams page or call 310-MHSU.

East Kootenay

• ITT Counsellor and ITT Nurse: 250-417-6171

Kamloops

• ITT Counsellor: 250-819-0895
• ITT Nurse: 250- 571-4674

North Okanagan:

• ITT Counsellor: 250-253-1027
• ITT Nurse: 250-253-4976

Penticton

• ITT Counsellor: 250-490-5216
• ITT Nurse: 250-490-7560

West Kelowna

• ITT Counsellor: 250-826-4384
• ITT Nurse: 250-878-5614