Reopening The Crossing

Photo: Contributed

A youth addictions treatment centre in Keremeos is getting ready to reopen in early February.

The 22 bed facility was closed last year, following disagreements between the former operator and province. However in May, faced with growing pressure surrounding a lack of residential care beds for youth, the province promised to reopen “The Crossing.”

The Crossing’s beds will be set aside for people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges between the ages of 17 and 24.

The Pacific Community Resource Society has been picked to operate the facility this time around.

Director of Addictions Services Steven Esau says they will be offering individualized treatment and programming. They will also be trying to get families involved when possible.

“We want to spend less time on the addiction and more on what makes them unique and valuable.”

Esau says the quiet and serene setting for the centre offers benefits to those trying to get clean.

He added that the remote location has “played a factor” in sourcing staff, but says they have had applications pour in from across the Okanagan Valley and province. When possible, he says they are trying to hire locally for professional positions.

“We are really excited for this service, we are as pumped to have it open just as much as everyone else is.”