Addiction services facility officially opened

Edmundston (GNB) June 19, 2015 – An addiction services facility was officially opened today in Edmundston.

"Our government believes in improving the quality of life for New Brunswick families and ensuring that they have access to the health services they need to live longer, healthier lives,” said Post-Secondary Education and Labour Minister Francine Landry. “This new treatment centre provides better access to addiction prevention and management services.”

Landry attended the event on behalf of Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

The 12-bed facility, located next to the Edmundston Regional Hospital, offers inpatient and outpatient services in addiction prevention; residential withdrawal management (detoxification); and counselling for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse and gambling. The facility also has consultation and examination rooms; offices and workrooms for family or group counselling; and administrative space.

“this initiative is in keeping with the network’s strategic goals as it helps improve the quality of services delivered by the health system,” said Paul Couturier, Vitalité Health Network’s board chair.

The inpatient area operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the outpatient area operates eight hours a day, five days a week.

The project represents a total investment of $6.7 million. Construction began in the fall of 2013 to replace the former centre which operated out of a 110-year-old, residential, three-storey building that no longer met space requirements or current building standards.

From left to right: Chuck Chiasson, MLA for Victoria-La Vallée; Paul Couturier, Vitalité Health Network board chair; Gisèle Beaulieu, Chief Operating Officer for the Northwest Zone; Hon. Francine Landry, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister responsible for La Francophonie; Joanne Lavoie, Manager of the addiction service facility; André Lang, Deputy mayor of Edmundston; Michel Leblond, Mayor of Rivière Verte; Madeleine Dubé, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre

From left to right: Chuck Chiasson, MLA for Victoria-La Vallée; Paul Couturier, Vitalité Health Network board chair; Gisèle Beaulieu, Chief Operating Officer for the Northwest Zone; Hon. Francine Landry, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister responsible for La Francophonie; Joanne Lavoie, Manager of the addiction service facility; André Lang, Deputy mayor of Edmundston; Michel Leblond, Mayor of Rivière Verte; Madeleine Dubé, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre