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Behind the Headlines: What will curb systemic issues in the Battlefords?

According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, there are over a dozen supports in place across the Battlefords to support ending systemic issues prevalent in the community.
Miguel Fenrich
Miguel Fenrich
Harm Reduction Van web
The North Battleford area is now home to Saskatchewan's fourth mobile harm reduction van that will transport safer supplies to the community to save lives and help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. At the official launch were: kneeling, Johann Engelke, Director Primary Care-SHA; middle row, Ryan Domotor, MLA, Cut Knife-Turtleford; Jeremy Cockrill, MLA Battlefords, Minister of Highways; Amanda Maunula, outreach worker with Battlefords Family Health Centre; Everett Hindley, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; Kent Lindgren, director of the Battlefords Family Health Centre and City of North Battleford councillor; Patricia Whitecalf Ironstand, executive director of BRT6HC, in the van, Leanne Thomas, peer outreach worker; Cymric Leask, HIV Project Co-ordinator, BFHC; Danielle Radchenko, Sexual Health Co-ordinator, SHA.Photo by Andrea Stewart/Freelance Photographer

NORTH BATTLEFORD — In response to a News-Optimist email with a list of questions regarding efforts to help curb systemic issues in the Battlefords — that are often blamed for causing the crime issues some say plague the community — the Saskatchewan Health Authority responded with a nearly 1,000-word email on Aug. 30, 2023.

Below are some of the highlights that SHA and other organizations are doing in North Battleford to support addictions and mental health as of September 2023.

This list is not exhaustive.

  • A procurement process is currently underway for at least 150 addiction treatment spaces spread between virtual outpatient services, day treatment, detox/withdrawal management, inpatient addiction treatment and recovery services.
  • The SHA is working to add 14 new permanent withdrawal management or detox and addiction inpatient treatment beds in North Battleford in 2024. An eight-bed withdrawal management unit will be opening to support the community in September until the 14 spaces are permanently opened.
  • The Building Expression & Awareness through Theatre & Sound (B.E.A.T.S.) program founded in 2014 has been a success.
  • Cool Kids (a 10-week program for parents with children struggling with anxiety) has been a success.
  • Catholic Family Services in the Battlefords offers walk-in, rapid-access outpatient counselling services (expanded to youth in 2023)
  •  A new after-hours initiative beginning in September 2023 is the implementation of RPNLs situated in BUH Emergency Room Department. These liaison positions will provide support to individuals and families presenting at the ER with mental health concerns, facilitating better access and more timely support.
  • Housing initiatives include the Next Step program, providing transitional housing and support to individuals being discharged from a mental health facility or struggling with independent living.
  • CMHA Battlefords branch opened Independence Commons, an eight-unit housing opportunity for individuals faced with complex mental health challenges.
  • SHA's own harm reduction programs provide education, supplies, and support to people who use drugs, reducing the spread of blood-borne infections such as HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis C, preventing overdose deaths, and addressing other health-related harm. Services vary by location and can include, but are not limited to, counselling and health education, connection to treatment, Naloxone kits, fentanyl and benzodiazepine drug checking strips, social services and culturally supportive services.
  • A state-of-the-art psychiatric facility, the Saskatchewan Hospital.
  • A Harm Reduction van operated by the SHA, which may include providing take-home naloxone kits, education or resources to prevent disease transmission and safer sex supplies. The vans do not provide supervised consumption. 

Originally published in the Battlefords Regional News-Optimist on March 28, 2024.