P.E.I. recovery home waiting lists unacceptable, say addictions advocates

Advocates for people with addictions say waiting lists on P.E.I. for recovery homes, which provide longer-term housing for recovering addicts, are unacceptable.

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Currently, all three provincially-run homes are full, and have waiting lists. Provincial officials say the situation has been like this for about a year.

We're trying to improve services as much as we can and keep people in the system and moving but it's difficult. Leslie Warren, Health PEI

The homes provide a chemical-free environment with 24-hour staff and programs for people, many of whom havealready been through a detoxprogram.

At Talbot House for men, there are fourteen beds, and ten people waiting to get in.

At Lacey House for women, all eight beds are full, with six on thewaiting list.

St. Eleanor's House in Summerside has a similar situation: five beds full, and five people waiting.

Circle of addiction

"The chance of relapse is huge you know and it's very disheartening for them," said addictions advocate Dianne Young, whose 29-year-old son Lennon Waterman died by suicide two years ago after a struggle with addictions.

"They'll just get back into that circle of addiction," Young said.

Officials with addictionsservicessay they understand the concerns but said people can still get help while they wait.

"We do have counselling services here and we empathize with the families," said Leslie Warren, an addictions manager with Health PEI.

Warren said many addicts wait a couple of months to get a bed, but can get priority if they're deemed at greater risk.

"They're full pretty much all the time, and I don't know how we keep up with it," said Warren.

"We're trying to improve services as much as we can and keep people in the system and moving but it's difficult."

Post-detoxis a vulnerable time

Andy Lou Somers fought for a longer-term youth treatment centre in Summerside, and arguesadults need immediate access to recovery homes.

"It's scary because many of them are struggling and they are at the most vulnerable time when they're trying to stay clean," said Somers.

"It's a shame that there isn't enough spots for people to get in, because truly if they're wanting to get in and get help now, that's the time to get them in somewheres."

Addictions PEI says it may look at some kind of restructuring to deal with the situation, but at this point, there is no plan to add any more beds.