A place is finally available to help young people residing in Kelowna stop using drugs.

The Bridge Youth and Family Services, in partnership with Interior Health, officially launched a new Withdrawal Management program on Monday for youth up to 18 years of age.

Also known as YD33, the new program provides up to four people at a time with residential beds to safely withdraw from harmful substances.

Over the past ten years, youth in Kelowna who desired treatment would be forced to leave their family and community to detox. However, the new program will ensure that there is now a compassionate, responsive and effective local option for young people suffering from addiction and substance abuse in the Central Okanagan.

The program allows young people withdrawing from a variety of substances to reside in a safe and supportive environment for five to 15 days where they will be offered medical care, informational workshops and counseling.

“It’s part of an overall strategy from prevention and education through to harm reduction and treatment,” said Program Coordinator Jamie McGregor. “A significant gap in service for our region has now been filled.”

The Central Okanagan has been without youth detox services for over a decade since the closing of the Iridian Centre.

Those interested in learning more about the new detox program can visit the Bridge Youth and Family Services website here.