The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced a new Sobering and Assessment Centre in Prince George.

The project is slated to begin in the next three years and is part of an initiative to create more treatment and recovery services across the province.

Northern Health will also be getting expanded adult addictions day treatment services that will be implemented in northern communities.

New peer support initiatives to support aftercare are also planned for the region.

“This funding will strengthen the continuity of care and reduce gaps for those in need. We appreciate the collaborative approach being taken to better respond to people experiencing mental-health or substance-use challenges, and look forward to working with all our partners to create timely connections to appropriate services,” said CEO of Northern Health, Cathy Ulrich.

$132 million is being invested across BC to create similar systems in the next three years.

195 substance-use treatment beds are planned to be created across the province, and 130 full-time staff will be added.