Largest Addictions Treatment Facility in Saskatchewan to Open Near Lumsden

Release, Sask. Gov’t

January 4, 2024

The new facility, located about 20 minutes northwest of Regina, will provide adults 18 and older with holistic, wrap-around inpatient addictions treatment for up to 16 weeks. The facility will be operated by EHN Canada through the publicly funded health care system.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is focused on getting people the treatment that they need to overcome addictions and live healthy lives in recovery," Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod said. "Doubling the number of addictions treatment spaces across the province is a key pillar of Saskatchewan's new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions."

EHN is a leading addictions treatment provider with decades of experience across Canada, specializing in the treatment of all types of addictions and related mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"EHN Canada's commitment to clinical excellence is at the forefront of this initiative," EHN National Operations Vice-President Dr. Christina Basedow said. "The facility in Lumsden will be staffed by a team of highly-skilled professionals dedicated to providing the latest evidence-based treatments. We aim to offer Saskatchewan residents the highest quality care and support in their pursuit of addiction recovery and concurrent mental health treatment."

The facility, which was also the former St. Michael's Retreat site established by the Franciscan Friars of Western Canada in 1963, will undergo minor renovations by EHN in the coming weeks with plans to open in Spring 2024. The planned use of the facility was approved by the RM of Lumsden No. 189 council on Jan. 3, 2024, with the support of the Town of Lumsden.

The agreement to provide the service is between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and EHN Canada.

"A key to successful addictions treatment is providing the right supports for people when they want them and are ready for them," SHA Mental Health and Addictions Executive Director Colleen Quinlan said. "This facility will provide the capacity to provide treatment in a timely and specialized manner in an inspiringly picturesque location."

The new facility near Lumsden brings the total number of addictions treatment spaces that have been announced under Saskatchewan's Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions to 168. This includes 26 post-treatment spaces at St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre in Estevan, 32 intensive outpatient treatment spaces through Possibilities Recovery Centre in Saskatoon, 14 inpatient addictions treatment spaces at the former Drumming Hill Youth Centre facility in North Battleford, and 36 virtual spaces through EHN Canada. The total of 168 exceeds the Government of Saskatchewan's original commitment to add 150 more addictions treatment spaces across the province and advances toward the new target of adding 500.

EHN Canada was one of the successful proponents chosen through a competitive Request for Proposals process initiated by the Ministry of Health and the SHA seeking addictions treatment services, including intensive outpatient services, inpatient treatment services, and recovery or transitional services.

A new Request for Supplier Qualification was recently issued for approximately 250 more addictions treatment spaces across the province.