As the Ministry of Health issues a drug alert in the wake of four suspected overdose deaths in eight days in Regina, the provincial government announces funding for 16 new second-stage sober living treatment spaces for the Queen City.

The funding totals $863,000 with intake for 10 of the spaces getting underway on February 1st and the intake for the other six spots starts next month.

The funding and newly available spaces are part of the government’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions. Under the plan the government said it would open 500 treatment spaces by 2028 of which the ministry says it has made 297 spaces available so far.

In a news release Pine Lodge Executive Director Andrew Love said, “This expansion places a strong emphasis on structured day programming and vocational opportunities. By increasing capacity, the program strengthens continuity of care and provides staff with greater flexibility to deliver individualized supports, relapse-prevention services, and planning for successful reintegration into the community.”

While Saskatchewan’s minister of mental health and addictions, Lori Carr, said, “Sober living treatment is an important part of addictions recovery. “