Atira’s Rice Block building will house 38 new beds for women in the DTES

Vancouver Coastal Health has just announced the opening of 38 new beds for substance use transition and stabilization, for women in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). The beds will be operated by Atira Women’s Resources Society in their Rice Block building at 404 Hawks Avenue, with funding provided by VCH and BC Housing.

These new spaces come out of VCH’s Second Generation Strategy, as part of several initiatives to support women in the DTES with greater access and stronger connections to health care. As announced in October, women’s services in the DTES are being expanded, and will soon include a women’s only overdose prevention site, a mobile health services van, and an Intensive Case Management Team.

VCH, BC Housing and Atira gathered together with media and some of Atira’s clients on January 25, to formally announce the 38 beds and to celebrate access to more services for women in the DTES.

Representatives from Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing and Atira Women’s Resources Society join with Minister of Health, Terry Lake.

“Having substance-free spaces where women feel safe and supported is a pivotal step in the journey to recovery,” says Bonnie Wilson, Director of Home Support, Complex Rehab and Supported Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health. “Once women are away from situations where their safety is in jeopardy, they can begin addressing their physical and emotional health needs. Healthy, strong women nurture and care for themselves, each other, their families and our communities. Given the unprecedented and tragic overdose situation in our communities, we need this now more than ever.”

Each of the 38 units will afford women a sense of privacy and security while they withdraw from substance use. Ten of the beds are earmarked for short-term stay while 28 others are longer term transitional beds for women who are stabilized in their substance use but need ongoing support, including relapse training, life skills, and access to employment skills.

Women are currently moving into the transition program, and new clients can be referred through the Access Central detox referral line, 1-866-658-1221.

Read more:

CBC: 38 new drug treatment beds for women

VCH News: Expanded services for women on the Downtown Eastside