MORE RESOURCES, TREATMENT FACILITY NEEDED TO BATTLE YOUTH ADDICTION

More resources and a long-term treatment facility on the Island to
deal with addicted youth are what's needed. That's the word from
participants at a consultation meeting held to discuss youth
addiction strategy.

The meeting, held last week at Westisle High School, was the last in
a series of meetings organized by the department of health across the province.

The meeting asked the question: "If youth addictions services in the
province were to be improved and/or expanded, what would you recommend?"

Approximately 25 people were in attendance. Facilitator Terry Allen
said the West Prince meeting was the most attended per capita.

A number of participants talked about their situations as parents
dealing with children suffering the effects of drug addiction,
suggesting there needs to be a drug treatment facility on the Island
much like the Portage drug treatment program in New Brunswick.

Bob Lockhart, a Coleman resident who has worked with addicted youth
back in his native Ontario, said services need to be expanded
"especially for children on the extreme edge."

"If we're not going to provide services, we are neglectful as a
province. This is not a matter that can be left in the hands of parents alone."

He notes that anyone suffering from something like cancer has access
to many services, yet this is not necessarily the case for someone
suffering from an addiction. He said that addictions don't just
affect the youth, but the youth's family and the community as well.

"Addiction is a virus. It makes everybody sick."

He said the Mount Herbert facility isn't enough as it is only short-term.

"I've seen youth who have been out of Mount Herbert for a few hours
and were just craving."

He said the family should play a major role in the treatment of the youth.

"It's not just the individual that needs help. The whole family needs help."

He suggested the province needs to establish a one-step intake
service for parents and guardians so when the call is made, the
family will get an individual who will stay with them through the
entire process. As well, he echoed many other participants who said
the treatment for youth needs to be involuntary.

"It is inappropriate to talk about consent to treatment, but rather
what amount of supervision is required so the individual will get the
skills and practice them so they can make decisions on their own.
They need to be able to demonstrate they can be on their own."

Garth MacKinnon, who is trained as an addictions councilor, suggested
there should be more youth addictions councillors in West Prince.
There is currently only one that services the entire area from Tyne
Valley west. He notes that in Nova Scotia there is a councilor
assigned to every school.

"They went in once a week for individual counseling. It's something
that could be implemented here."

Westisle Principal Charles Murphy said he spoke to students about the
issues before the meeting, and they told him there needs to be more
resources including a long-term treatment facility and more youth councilors.

"We're stretched so thin, kids are beating down the door for (the
youth addictions councilor) every day."