Crystal Okemow and Everett Hindley, along with several dignateries, perform the ribbon cutting for the RAAM clinic in North Battleford. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Breaking cycles

Launch held for Battlefords addictions clinic, harm reduction van

Jun 25, 2022 | 9:00 AM

Significant upgrades in addiction services were unveiled in the Battlefords this week.

Many dignitaries were present for the grand opening of the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinic in North Battleford, which is located within the Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre (BRT6HC). The clinic features multiple disciplines in the world of health, utilizing physicians, nurses, addictions counselors and more to connect people with the best treatment and/or program.

BRT6HC Director Kent Lindgren said it’s exciting to see this day come after working in partnership local and provincially to establish the clinic.

“We’re in need of further addiction and mental health services that are really grounded in the community,” he said. “We’ve been operating for several months now, so this is nice to see it come to fruition.”

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The province is providing $2.2 million this year for the launch here in the Battlefords, as well as support similar clinics in cities like Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

“It’s an evolution of former services into new services and we’re really happy and proud of all the work that’s happened,” Lindgren said.

Part of the purpose of the new clinic is connecting culturally based services into health care. Lindgren said this helps to create trust and provide better care for people in the Indigenous community.

“We have cultural staff and Elders that are able to meet needs,” he said. “Integrating those into a medical model that are sometimes seen as cold and making it more accessible.”

BRT6HC Board Chairperson Chief Crystal Okemow said in a statement that a meaningful partnership between the SHA and BRT6HC provides a deeper level of service, “focused on creating wellness and healing in our community.”

Medical Office Assistant Sari Skopic said they’ve seen immediate dividends since opening.

“A middle-aged lady who had been homeless for a while and really struggling, started coming to the clinic for help,” she said. “Now, she’s in a stable place and we were able to find her housing.”

“We’re at least at a point now where we can start to break that addiction cycle and help get people out of it.”

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley thanked Centre and clinic staff for doing lifesaving work and spoke to the province’s stance on having RAAM clinics.

“We’ve seen clinics like these have success in Ontario and Manitoba, where they have significantly improved outcomes,” he said. “They stay in treatment longer and feel less stigma. We’re proud of the healthcare professionals here.”

Support on wheels

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Also highlighted this week was the province’s fourth mobile harm reduction van, which transport’s safer supplies and helps to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. This includes basic health care like treating wounds and infections, as well as HIV testing.

Hindley, who heard from health care workers prior to the RAAM clinic tour, said he’s very satisfied with what he’s seeing from their efforts with the van. He also noted the difference that mobile units are making this year in building trust and reducing negative outcomes.

“It’s critical, from the health care professionals to the people with front line experience,” he said.“What it’s done for the Battlefords and could do for the surrounding region.”

Two staff operate the van three days a week on evenings and weekends, providing supports when health locations are closed. Nurse Danielle Radchenko, speaking for the team operating the van, said being able to get around the community has opened doors.

It’s less of a barrier now that we can meet [patients] where they’re at,” she said.

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Part of that is the front line members with experience through the service, who through contract work and additional time have provided counsel and helped make connections within the City. Radchenko said they’ve helped to make people feel more comfortable when meeting with health care workers, as well as shape strategy from their insight.

“To get their feedback has been huge, we’ve developed our program based on a peer-lead model,” she said. “We would not have been able to do this without them.”

Other benefits of the service has been a reduction in discarded needles and needle-stick injuries. This falls under an $8 million increase of mental health and addictions services in the province for targeted initiatives around substance abuse.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW