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- Friday - Sept. 19 - Two new substance use recovery centres open in the Fraser Valley
Friday - Sept. 19 - Two new substance use recovery centres open in the Fraser Valley
Lubna El Elaimy
September 19, 2025
☀️ High 25C
Good morning!
The B.C. healthcare system, well, isn’t the best. It isn’t the worst, either.
It’s chugging along like an overweight three-legged dog that is blind in one eye. With a bit of love and patience, it manages to get through its days, but it could be worse. For example, we could have a system like the one in the U.S., and no one wants that except, perhaps, for health insurance executives.
I don’t think it would come as a surprise that there aren’t enough treatment and recovery centres for people struggling with substance use in the Fraser Valley. People in underserved communities have it the worst, with hardly any facilities or options for treatment and recovery.
The good news is that two new community recovery centres just opened up in Abbotsford and Hope, providing much-needed services for people who are starting or have already begun their recovery journeys and need support along the way.
If you’re interested in learning more about the new centres, read on and share the information as widely as possible. You might save someone’s life.
– Lubna
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News
Names of a Sxweyxwiyam: How legendary historian Sonny McHalsie changed the Fraser Valley's understanding of itself
Albert “Sonny” McHalsie has retired from his role as a cultural advisor and Sxweyxwiyam from the Stó:lō Resource and Research Management Centre after more than 40 years. 📷 Grace Kennedy
His colleagues say he is a man of integrity whose authenticity and genuine interest made his connections to Stó:lō elders possible. His family says his work was guided by their ancestors, and his acquaintances defer to his understanding of their shared history.
For more than four decades, Albert “Sonny” McHalsie committed himself to learning Stó:lō history and sharing it with both the Stó:lō and Xwelítem (the hungry people, the Halq'eméylem word for white settlers). Now, he is finally retired.
McHalsie gathered stories and names from Halq'eméylem-speaking elders and collected and corroborated hundreds of histories from Stó:lō past. He rebuilt maps of Coast Salish communities, and spent time in the field digging into the physical remains of sqémél (pit houses) from centuries past. He has introduced thousands of Fraser Valley residents to the history of their own communities, and helped many First Nations rediscover their own heritage.
He participated in dozens, if not hundreds, of projects over the years—from naming schools and narrating documentaries to writing books and publishing academic articles. In the process, he earned two honourary degrees and two hereditary names: Naxaxalhts'i and Si:yémiya.
He is a Sxweyxwiyam—a historian—and over the years has become one of the most respected authorities on Stó:lō history and place names.
But it was never foreordained.
Related
Need to Know
💔 The remains of a young man who disappeared into rushing water at Othello Tunnels during summer have been found by Hope Search and Rescue teams, ending a two-month recovery operation [Fraser Valley Today]
🚔 Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers will stage mock arrests of prominent Chilliwack figures including the mayor and councillors at District 1881 on Friday as part of their annual charity fundraising event [Fraser Valley Today]
💧 A freshly drilled well offers hope for Sunshine Valley residents who have endured over a month without reliable water service, though boil advisories remain in effect during system stabilization [Hope Standard]
👥 Investigators seek two suspects who allegedly took a monastery's cash donation container in Deroche before the man reportedly victimized an 83-year-old woman in a separate theft [Mission City Record]
🏥 A Chilliwack city councillor has called for urgent action to address the shortage of women's health specialists serving Fraser Health's 2.2 million residents compared to better-staffed coastal regions [Chilliwack Progress]
🍕 A unique Italian three-wheeled vehicle serves as the foundation for the province's only mobile Piaggo Ape pizzeria, offering authentic wood-fired pizza at Fraser Valley events [Abbotsford News]
🫐 An Abbotsford respiratory therapist has transformed his family's berry operation into a supplier for eight regional hospitals, replacing processed fruit with fresh local blueberries for patients [Abbotsford News]
🏛️ Mission councillors have scrapped staff proposals for limited public consultation on a $39 million safety facility, demanding instead a comprehensive outreach program before budget deliberations [Mission City Record]
⛳ A Langley teenager returns to international competition as part of Team Canada at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, seeking individual honors and team victory in Ontario [Langley Advance Times]
☺ TODAY’S SMILE: Congrats to Gerry Borden on being the first reader to correctly identify Wednesday’s Current Cam location.
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Safe supply is not safe
We continue to witness the ever-increasing number of people living on the streets, battling addictions, and struggling with mental health.
The BC NDP Government needs to address the drugs being imported and stop the ridiculous “safe supply” drug experiment.
We need to stop the production of street drugs!
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The Agenda
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Two new substance use recovery centres open in Abbotsford and Hope
The BC Government announced on Sept. 12 that two new community recovery centres for people struggling with substance use have opened in Abbotsford and Hope. The new centres, Abbotsford Junction and Hope Junction, are open to individuals aged 19 and older looking to start their recovery or maintain it long-term.
The addresses and phone numbers of the two centres are:
Abbotsford Junction: 102 – 32463 Simon Avenue, Abbotsford. Phone: (604)851-3754
Hope Junction: 895 3rd Ave Unit C (street level), Hope. Phone: (604)869-6338/ (604)869-1292.
The two centres aim to help people with substance use problems recover long-term through one-on-one peer support, social activities, skill-building, recreational activities, and vocational support. They will also receive help in accessing the services they need during recovery.
“The journey to recovery can be an isolating time for many, so having a strong support network in place can ensure people don’t have to walk the path alone,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions. “The Junction recovery community centres are providing access to a supportive, community-based environment that delivers a safe place for people to navigate their recovery journey, develop a sense of belonging, and build strong, healthy connections.”
The Abbotsford and Hope Junctions will offer services in-person and online throughout the two regions.
“The Junction is an all-inclusive program that brings community, recovery and wellness together for everyone through connections, compassion and hope,” said Lex Marshall, peer-support worker, Abbotsford Junction. “It’s an honour to be part of such a forward and inspiring program, bridging the gap for folks in their wellness and recovery journey.”
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🗓 Things to do
Taste of Abby: Abbotsford celebrates its agricultural heritage and cultural scene from September 19-28 with a multi-day festival featuring a Night Market, farm-to-table dinners, pop-up events, and specialty culinary experiences highlighting local flavors and musicians.
Chilliwack Firefighters Fall Food Drive: Chilliwack Fire Hall 1 hosts a community food drive on Saturday from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at 45950 Cheam Ave, where three donated non-perishable items earn a raffle ticket for prizes up to $1200, plus lunch by donation and fire truck tours.
Downtown Chilliwack Community Market: The certified BCAFM farmers market takes place every Saturday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Central Community Park (45951 Victoria Ave), featuring locally grown produce, handcrafted foods, and artisan products made exclusively by local vendors.
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