The building is full of light – that’s the most striking thing about it.

It’s fitting then, that one of the paintings that will hang on the walls of the new Sarah Steele Alcohol and Drug Services building is a piece called Breaking out of the Darkness.

The work, by Carcross-Tagish First Nation artist Blake Lepine, was a gift from Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations.

Johnston presented it during the building’s official opening this morning.

An audience of more than 60 filed into the brand-new facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

At 9 a.m., the freshly oiled floors were still so slippery, paper had to be put down for people to walk on.

Looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows of the new Steele Street centre, the old Sarah Steele building is still visible on Sixth Avenue.

Built in 1961 and named for former Yukon addictions nurse Sarah Steele after her death in the 1980s, it will be replaced by the new centre.

The $18-million alcohol and drug services centre was one of the promises made by the Yukon Party during the 2011 election campaign.

Premier Darrell Pasloski spoke this morning.

“This new building and the newly enhanced programming it offers are examples of how our government are improving addictions services to promote, protect and to enhance the well being of our citizens,” he said.

Pasloski cited his own experience as a former pharmacist in downtown Whitehorse.

He said protecting those with addictions not only helps the individual, it also protects and heals communities, and addresses the impact addiction has on the families of those involved.

Staff at the facility has increased from 20 to 50, including new positions in withdrawal management, in-patient treatment, dietary aide, youth treatment, and more.

Personnel costs for this will be $7.15 million for 2016/17, and will mean expanded services.

These include counselling by appointment and on a drop-in basis.

There are withdrawal services, including 18 withdrawal beds (four reserved for youth).

There are also 20 beds (10 for men and 10 for women, in separate wings) for the in-patient treatment program, which can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days.

Additionally, there are four youth treatment beds, and eight more beds in the building’s transition unit. The old Sarah Steele building had 20 beds.

This morning, tours of these rooms, as well as common areas, highlighted architectural and design elements that give the feeling of being outside, even when inside.

Large windows offer views of the clay cliffs, and the trees along nearby trails and parks.

The floors are a light, natural wood. Dividing screens in certain areas are opaque, and decorated with dried grasses and plants, collected from the Yukon by former program participants.

Desks in the hallways have rounded, flowing edges. The First Nations Cultural Room (to be used for smudging and ceremonies) is also round, its floor inlaid with stones.

“Unfortunately, most of our clientele here are First Nation aboriginal people,” said Johnston, prior to the ribbon-cutting.

“And it’s important that we, as aboriginal people, First Nation people, put our presence into facilities such as this so it’s more inviting, but, more importantly, that the success is more likely to happen.”

He reiterated Pasloski’s point that addiction affects whole communities, and that the people in those communities need to support those who need it most.

Johnston also said he appreciates the fact that the new facility has programming for clients of all ages.

“The most important factor about this building I like is the fact that it looks after the youth,” said Johnston.

“The youth are our leaders of tomorrow and, unfortunately, in a lot of cases they’ve been left behind, and it’s just a great thing to see that the youth are being recognized today within this building.”

Following staff orientation and furniture installation, the facility will open Oct. 3.

“The new building and the enhanced programming will better serve Yukon citizens,” said Health and Social Services Minister Mike Nixon.

“We know that awareness of addiction and mental health issues continues to grow, as does the need to respond to those issues. We are now better positioned to do just that.”