Youth programming to be included in new Sarah Steele facility

April 5, 2016

WHITEHORSE—An expanded youth program will be available at the new Sarah Steele facility to provide counselling, drug and alcohol treatment and detoxification for young people.

“Specific youth services have been identified as a priority by Yukoners,” Minister of Health and Social Services Mike Nixon said. “We are working with various partners to make sure these services will be available to the young people who need them most.”

The programming will include a 24/7 withdrawal service for youth as well as a gender-specific residential treatment program. Alcohol and Drug Services will collaborate with community-based youth services, the Department of Education, Many Rivers Counselling Services, Mental Health Services and First Nations health programs to provide a continuum of support services to youth and their families.

The new building will include medically supported youth and adult withdrawal management facilities, youth treatment services, an adult intensive inpatient treatment based on a continuous intake process, counselling services and expanded programming capacity.

“New concurrent services for women, men and youth will now be offered, reducing wait times for those requiring support,” Nixon added.

Construction of the new Sarah Steele building is on schedule for completion by late summer. It has a $7.3 million capital budget, and a $2 million operations and maintenance budget for 2016/17, subject to legislative approval. The total cost of the building is estimated to be $21 million.

The Yukon government currently offers counselling services for Yukon youth at the original Sarah Steele building.

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Contact:

Dan Macdonald
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
dan.macdonald@gov.yk.ca

Marcelle Dubé
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3010
marcelle.dube@gov.yk.ca

NT5