Fraser Health was 鈥渟urprised鈥� by criticism coming out of Chilliwack council chambers this week about how the health authority is dealing with street-level addiction in Chilliwack.

Chilliwack council passed a unanimous July 18 asking Fraser Health to come and address the community 鈥渄irectly,鈥� to deal with the 鈥済aps in service鈥� since Chilliwack has borne the brunt of the public鈥檚 ire over dramatic increases in discarded needles and increased numbers of people shooting up in the streets and parks.

But a Fraser Health rep said no official invite to Chilliwack had arrived yet, despite a scathing rebuke offered by councillors at the last meeting.

鈥淎t this time, we haven鈥檛 received a formal request to speak with the council, though we have learned that there is a desire for us to do so,鈥� said Tasleem Juma, Fraser Health spokesperson.

鈥淲e are always open to speak with them. We would like to learn more about their concerns to ensure all of the right stakeholders are present 鈥� health, housing, etc. 鈥� and ensure we can respond to their questions.鈥�

Fraser Health has 鈥渆ngaged regularly鈥� with municipal stakeholders to discuss what they do, the services offered and their 鈥渁pproach to caring for people with mental health and substance鈥� use issues.

In fact they鈥檝e been in contact 鈥渁 dozen times鈥� with Chilliwack officials in the last six months and are 鈥渃ommitted to continuing.鈥�

Some council members have called for a fully funded ICM team for Chilliwack. A for picking up used needles didn鈥檛 materialize they way it was supposed to.

Fraser Health claims they鈥檝e already focused on expanding services.

鈥漌e are surprised by the recent discussions in the media given the investments we鈥檝e made in Chilliwack, including expanding Chilliwack鈥檚 outreach team. This has allowed the team to provide services seven days per week, 12 hours per day. Previously we were providing service seven hours per day/five days per week,鈥� said Juma in an emailed statement.

鈥淭he expanded outreach team provides services to people with serious mental health or substance use problems that require intensive outreach. The team also works with Chilliwack General Hospital鈥檚 emergency department and inpatient units to identify patients with substance use needs who can be safely discharged and be better served in a community setting.

Fraser Health has a new outreach position for Indigenous people with mental health and substance use issues, for which recruitment is underway, funded by First Nations Health Authority.

鈥淲e also have Riverstone, which provides outreach detox, daytox, and engagement work to 40 clients per week, and the Chilliwack Mental Health Centre continues to provide full service, including outreach and work with the police.鈥�

jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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