There are no sobering or detox centres in the Cowichan Valley where police can take a suspect under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
But Keva Glynn, Vancouver Island Health Authority’s director for mental health and substance use says police do have help at hand if they bring an intoxicated person, or a person under the influence of some kind of drug, into their cells…..
Following an inquest into the death of a man who died after going into medical distress in Duncan/North Cowichan police cells in April of 2012, the Coroner had recommended the CVRD, the mayors and the Island Health Authority set up a joint review committee to determine the viability of a sobering centre.
Glynn says substance use is in increasing problem, not only in the Cowichan Valley but throughout the Island….
In the meantime, a new team to help deal with mental illness will be in place in the Cowichan in the new year.
Glynn says a new Assertive Community Treatment Team will be up and running here….
