Williams Lake methadone clinic forced to turn patients away

A methadone clinic in British Columbia's Cariboo region says it's being forced to turn patients away because it can't keep up with demand.

The Cornerstone Chemical Dependency Clinic in Williams Lake is the only clinic of its kind between Kamloops and Prince George. It is only opened 10 hours a week, as it is operated by two physicians who each have their own practice.

As a result, Dr. Ivan Scrooby, one of two physicians, says they've had to turn away "quite a number" of patients who come for help with their drug addiction or mental health issue.

"It is very unfortunate to see that there are people who are not able to be helped," Scrooby told Daybreak Kamloops.

"Fortunately there are other services, but it's a matter of driving quite a distance to Kamloops or Prince George at this stage."

Scrooby's clinic is privately-funded. It offers mental health counselling services as well as replacement therapy in the form of methadone or suboxone.

Scrooby believes the clinic can treat more patients if more doctors would come on board, but he says many family physicians are afraid to enter "the realm of the drug-addicted patient," because the work is challenging.

"I think part of our success is that we've had such good relationships with mental health, and the collaborative working relationship has brought about success for us," he said.

"I think the more family doctors are supported out there by their local mental health facilities in their areas, I think (the more) we'll see more family physicians enter addictions treatment."

To hear the full story, listen to the audio labelled: Interview with Dr. Ivan Scrooby