ADDICTION TREATMENT BEDS ONLINE BY END OF MARCH

Six addictions treatments beds will be up and running by the end of
March in Nanaimo.

"That will bring our total to three supported residential and three
detox or withdrawal management beds in Nanaimo," said Michelle
Dartnall, youth addictions manager for the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

"We're optimistic that it's going to fulfil some of the need."

Last March, the province announced funding of $1.5 million for youth
addictions services on the Island.

On Friday, VIHA announced the launch of 17 new treatment beds across
the Island by the end of March.

Dartnall said three detox beds and two supported residential beds are
up and running now in Nanaimo, with the third ready next month.

While the beds were expected to come online last summer, Dartnall
said development was slower than expected because of the complex
process. ADAPT Society in Nanaimo was given responsibility for
developing the beds.

"All the services in Nanaimo are using a care home model," she said.
"The interview process is fairly extensive."

Dartnall said putting recovering youths in a home setting with care
providers and outside support is a model that has proved effective in
the Lower Mainland.

"Youth in these homes are given wrap around services," she said. "I
think it seems to fit for some youth because not all youth are ready
to go into a setting where they're dealing with a lot of their peers."

It also helps youth stay closer to home, keep in connection with
their communities and develop a close supportive relationship with
their care provider, she said.