addictions

This picture was taken Monday, July 12 during the middle of the day and posted to the Clean Streets Penticton Facebook page of several bicycles and shopping carts with a man working on a bike outside the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church on Orchard Ave. (Facebook)

Penticton mayor calls on government to help worsening crime and mental health crisis

A protest is planned at city hall with those fed up with brazen thefts and feeling unsafe

 

CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)

Police association president supports decriminalization but says it won’t curb crime in B.C.

CPA president says B.C. minister misrepresented police decriminalization stance

 

(Jake Courtepatte/Capital News)

22 new adult substance-use beds, complex care housing coming to Okanagan

The province and Interior Health announced new treatment and recovery services for Kelowna

 

Recovering addict Mike Kappeler just released the first episode in his TV series called Recovery Life which focuses on the positive side of recovery in an addict’s or alcoholic’s life. He is seen here in downtown Chilliwack on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Former B.C. addict releases first ‘Recovery Life’ TV episode

TV series shares ‘amazing and uplifting stories’ of recovery, says Mike Kappeler

Recovering addict Mike Kappeler just released the first episode in his TV series called Recovery Life which focuses on the positive side of recovery in an addict’s or alcoholic’s life. He is seen here in downtown Chilliwack on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Penticton dealing with mental health crisis on its streets and Penticton RCMP are in the frontlines. (file photo)

“Officers are getting exhausted”: Penticton RCMP dealing with medical crisis on the streets

Penticton police deal with twice the calls for mental health than Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon

Penticton dealing with mental health crisis on its streets and Penticton RCMP are in the frontlines. (file photo)
A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

B.C. pledges $1M for harm reduction to prevent overdose deaths among construction workers

Funding will expand Tailgate Toolkit program, which has already been operating on Vancouver Island

A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg

Correctional Service settles human rights case for prisoners addicted to opioids

Settlement agreement was reached last month

A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg
Pathways would like to open a day-tox centre.

Penticton council grants $10k for Pathways counseling services

The addiction treatment centre was looking for $344k instead

Pathways would like to open a day-tox centre.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Habs goalie Carey Price says ‘substance use’ led him to NHL’s assistance program

‘Over the last few years I have let myself get to a very dark place and I didn’t have the tools to cope’

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Kelly Fehr, of Turning Points, chats with a fellow recovering alcoholic at Bill's Place, a sober living facility. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon councillor shares story of addiction

Fehr breaks free of grips of alcohol

Kelly Fehr, of Turning Points, chats with a fellow recovering alcoholic at Bill's Place, a sober living facility. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown.

IH CEO rejects Penticton’s request to restore funding to Pathways

IH says services to addictions have increased since the health authority took over

Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown.
Pathways would like to open a day-tox centre.

Penticton council wants addictions centre’s funding restored immediately

Pathways director says phones ringing off the hook from people in crisis

Pathways would like to open a day-tox centre.
Pathways is seeking approval to open up day-tox program.

Penticton’s Pathways wants to open day-tox outpatient program

Interior Health pulled all its funding for the addictions counselling centre in May

Pathways is seeking approval to open up day-tox program.
Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)

Public shaming, hate perpetuates further substance use: UVic researcher

Longtime addict Nathan Watts offers a user’s perspective on substance use

Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)
(Instagram/@MyVoice.MyChoice.Project)

Penticton addictions resource centre launches Instagram contest for female youth

The @MyVoice.MyChoice.Project encourages females in Grades 7-12 to make healthy choices with alcohol

(Instagram/@MyVoice.MyChoice.Project)
On June 23, 2020, Sunrise Rotary announced it will be donating $50,000 in support of the Bridge Youth and Family Services for the construction of the “Okanagan Youth Recovery House” project for young people under the age of 19 who are experiencing addiction. (Contributed)

Interior Health adds 10 youth substance-use treatment beds in the Okanagan

The Bridge Youth and Family Services will operate the beds

On June 23, 2020, Sunrise Rotary announced it will be donating $50,000 in support of the Bridge Youth and Family Services for the construction of the “Okanagan Youth Recovery House” project for young people under the age of 19 who are experiencing addiction. (Contributed)
The Bridge’s Youth Recovery House is closer to opening thanks to generous donations from the community. (Contributed)

Kelowna residents donate $275k for youth treatment centre

The treatment centre will serve Okanagan youth

The Bridge’s Youth Recovery House is closer to opening thanks to generous donations from the community. (Contributed)
John Lee, 28, who lives in a makeshift shelter at the outskirts of Salmon Arm, eats his Christmas dinner on Dec. 25, 2020 while he talks about his life and what could have made a difference in his past. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Freezing to death seen sometimes as welcome option for Salmon Arm man

Fighting drug addiction, living rough through cold winter make survival a struggle

John Lee, 28, who lives in a makeshift shelter at the outskirts of Salmon Arm, eats his Christmas dinner on Dec. 25, 2020 while he talks about his life and what could have made a difference in his past. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton man recognized with Canadian bravery award for intervening in house fire

Gord Portman will look to continue his life-saving ways after the fire inspired him to get sober

Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)
Merritt’s Darius Sam ran 100 miles in 32 straight hours to raise funds for a local men’s mental health and addictions program. He completed the run Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Contributed)

100 miles to change many lives; B.C. man completes gruelling ultra-marathon

Darius Sam ran 100 miles in 32 hours to raise funds for mental health and addictions counselling

Merritt’s Darius Sam ran 100 miles in 32 straight hours to raise funds for a local men’s mental health and addictions program. He completed the run Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Contributed)