The Province is ramping up meth treatment programs as the drug continues to invade communities.

"We find the same thing in all corners of Manitoba, that meth is a concern wherever you go," Health Minister and Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen says. "This drug is very cheap on the streets, it's becoming the drug of choice for those struggling with addictions."

Because the addiction is especially difficult to treat the Province is investing in more flexible detox programs. "If there's one thing we're learning it's that [meth] is not like other drugs... detox just takes longer."

Typically, withdrawal management and recovery beds are available to individuals for seven to 10 days. People with meth addiction often require up to 30 days. The creation of flexible length withdrawal and recovery beds will specifically help those suffering from meth addictions.

Manitoba recently signed on to the Government of Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund, increasing funding to establish flexible length withdrawal management and recovery beds, and establish mobile clinical support services in Winnipeg and Brandon for people who use methamphetamine.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Prairie Mountain Health will also issue a request for proposals (RFP) in the new year to address the need for withdrawal and clinical support services for meth users. This will include a call to create mobile withdrawal services. Similar to a program used in B.C., the plan calls for those with addiction to be placed in open treatment bed spaces at addiction treatment centres, with mobile teams providing daily support to these individuals. These teams would typically include a nurse and addictions worker.