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Kelowna  

Crisis team hits the street

Interior Health and the Kelowna RCMP officially unveiled a program first hinted at city hall two months go.

Police and the health authority have partnered to create a new Police and Crisis Team.

It's a mobile mental health and substance use crisis prevention team, to provide an enhanced response to people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

The program was first introduced to city council by social development manager Sue Wheeler in January as part of the city's multi-pronged approach to homelessness in the city.

The team will consist of a dedicated psychiatric nurse and a specially trained RCMP officer. They will patrol the streets together and respond to calls.

They will, in turn, assess the needs of the individual and connect them with appropriate services in an effort to reduce mental health and substance use visits to hospital.

"Having this specialized team will help reduce these re-admissions and shift care into the community setting," said IH board chairman John O'Fee.

"This will ultimately help reduce pressures on the busiest emergency department within Interior Health, and more importantly, provide immediate necessary supports and attach individuals to appropriate mental health, substance use and community resources."

Premier Christy Clark said for people struggling with mental health or substance issues, their first interaction with emergency services is important.

The teams began training earlier this month.

Monday was their first official day on the job.



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