The Opposition justice critic is encouraged by a new drug treatment centre in her district which will begin accepting patients this week – however, whether the services will be covered by MCP remains uncertain.

The Vida Nova Recovery Center, located on the site of the old Lavrock camp on Salmonier Line, will be able to accept up to 52 patients in various stages of treatment.

Helen Conway-Ottenheimer says a treatment facility is sorely needed, and while it was her understanding that treatment would be covered by MCP, she’s since learned that’s not the case.

She told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly she found out the coverage was lacking when she was contacted by a constituent in need of the services being offered.

She says the woman, who was supposed to have started treatment on Monday, was “devastated” when she was told by Vida Nova that MCP coverage was not yet ready.