February 22, 2023-Surrey, BC-Options Community Services (OCS) is a non-profit society serving the Surrey, Delta, South Surrey/White Rock, and Langley regions. OCS has received approved funding through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to operate a Home-Based Withdrawal Management and Detox program to serve the Surrey, Delta and White Rock regions. This much -needed Community-Driven initiative will operate over 2 years as a pilot from the funded $2.6 million received from Health Canada.
The demand for detox services in our communities outstrips the availability of resources. Wait times for government-funded rehab centres are anywhere from 30-60 days currently. The consequences of substance use for the individual, family, workplace, and community are overwhelming and devastating, while the costs in terms of money, relationships, reputation, and family wellbeing is immense and can last for generations. A 2014 study suggested that $15.7 billion dollars in productivity was lost to the Canadian economy as a result of substance misuse.
The program will have an ethno-specific focus for the South Asian community. The provision of outreach reduces the barriers to access services so that individuals can continue to participate in their familial responsibilities, culture, employment etc. Outreach workers alongside medical staff will give support to the individual and their families, providing wrap-around resources where needed.
“I would like to congratulate Options Community Services (OCS) on the launch of the Home-Based Withdrawal Management and Detox program,” said Surrey Centre Member of Parliament Randeep Sarai. “It is an important program that will provide Surrey residents with the support and resources needed to combat substance abuse. OCS is a pillar in the community, and I am pleased to see such a pilot program beginning in the city. As the Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre for the past seven years, I have heard first-hand how substance abuse can affect those most vulnerable, and I have witnessed the increased demand for such programs. The Home-Based Withdrawal Management Detox program is one such program. I look forward to watching it succeed.”
OCS, with over 600 staff and 19 plus locations throughout the South Fraser has a wide range of services from supporting new families and new Canadians, to Work BC programs, Mental Health programs, Shelters, Transitional Houses, Fraser Crisis Lines and Supported Housing programs to name a few.
We are also excited to partner with Dr. Julian Somers and his research team who will be assisting in the evaluation of this initiative.
The pilot program will be launched in April 2023. In April, please refer to www.options.bc.ca for more information about how to access the project.
