Rapid Access to Addictions Care (RAAC) - Fraser North

Addictions / Substance Use and Public Health

Provided by Fraser Health

An addiction medicine and substance use service that provides same day easy-to-access, responsive care to patients with a focus on assessment, initial stabilization and transition to longitudinal community-based clinics and services.
Who is Served & What is Offered?
Rapid Access to Addiction Care (RAAC) clinics are for anyone who is concerned about their substance use and would like support, including concerns related to alcohol, opioids, stimulants or other substances.

RAAC provides quick, same-day access to nurses and doctors who specialize in substance use care. No referral or appointment is required. Because clinics operate on a walk-in basis, people are encouraged to arrive earlier in the day, as the clinic may reach capacity.

A doctor can help if individuals are experiencing withdrawal or cravings, want to reduce or stop their substance use, are concerned about the health effects of substance use, or want to understand treatment options. This can include medications to treat opioid use disorder, medications that can help reduce alcohol cravings, support to safely manage some types of alcohol withdrawal, or connection to medical withdrawal management (detox).

RAAC also provides harm reduction support, naloxone training and connections to counselling, treatment, recovery and other community services. The team will work with individuals to understand what they want help with, provide initial treatment and support, and connect individuals with ongoing care when needed.

What to Expect
Clients can expect:
  • Addiction medicine assessment for any substance use concern.
  • Medication initiation and stabilization, including opioid agonist treatment (OAT).
  • Outpatient support for low-risk alcohol withdrawal management.
  • Harm reduction services, including harm reduction supplies.
  • Training and distribution of take-home Naloxone kits.
  • Referrals to community-based substance use services, including bed-based treatment.
  • Support from a multidisciplinary team, including: Physicians, Nurses, Social workers, Peer support workers
  • Connection to shelters and other social resources.
  • Culturally safe and trauma-and-resiliency informed care.

Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
  • Any individual who is looking for support with substance use or has questions about substance use.
  • Substances can include but are not limited to alcohol, benzodiazepines, nicotine, stimulants (such as cocaine, crystal methamphetamine), and opioids.

Referral Information
Referral Pathways:
  • No referral is required. Any individual can access RAAC by walking into any RAAC clinic.
  • Appointments are also available if preferred, and individuals may re-refer/re-access the service at any time.
  • For help connecting to RAAC, individuals can contact the Fraser Health Access Line: Mental Health and Substance Use (Home of Access Central for Substance Use Services) (1-833-866-MHSU) or by phoning a RAAC clinic.
  • Referrals are also welcomed from community providers, health care providers, general practitioners and nurse practitioners by faxing the referral form. A referral can help support connection to care but is not required to access RAAC.

604-527-2904 (New Westminster)

201 Keary Street, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 3W7

Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM for routine assessment and follow-up care.
The Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre is a separate building on the south side of the hospital campus.
Weekends and statutory holidays (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM), this location provides urgent access services. During these times:
  • Individuals will receive a nursing assessment
  • Based on need and capacity, they may: Be seen by a physician the same day OR Be booked for the next available weekday medical appointment
Weekend and statutory holiday services are intended to support urgent assessment and stabilization needs.

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Self-referral
Brochures and Info
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Fraser Health:

Just the closest matches listed. Click to see more!
Availability

Service area: New Westminster + show cities

Service area cities: New Westminster

Service Types Provided
Addictions / Substance Use
Public Health
    Ways to Access
    • Provided 1:1 in-person
    • Provided at a single location

    The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

    Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

    For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

    community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

    If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

    1. First Name
    2. Last Name
    3. Email
    4. In which city/town do you work?
    5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
    6. Employer Name (for office staff)
    7. Office Phone

    Click anywhere to close