WHERE DO YOU TURN?

Getting help for drug addiction is never easy and where teens are
involved, families face even more obstacles.

SUMMERSIDE

A grandson in trouble with the law, struggling with an addiction. A
Summerside woman said it took her 10 calls and 15 people to get him
help. And she'd been through the system before - since one of her
children battled addiction too.

"It is certainly an effect that I don't wish on anybody," said the
woman, who tried to help her grandson when frustrated parents didn't
know where to turn. "It's hell for the person that's using, but it's
also hell for the parents who find it very, very, very difficult to
find help. What phone number do they call? What office do they call?"

The woman was one of more than 40 people who attended a public
meeting on youth addiction treatment on P.E.I. in Summerside. The
input from meetings across the province will form part of a report to
the Department of Health.

The Summerside woman and several other speakers voiced support for a
long-term treatment facility for youth and support for them once they
get out. Several argued parents should have the right to force
children into treatment.

"I do believe in mandatory entry because they are not in a fit state
of mind," the Summerside woman said. "We can get power of attorney
for senior parents, so why can't we get back some kind of law that
says parents can take it upon themselves to have a child - who's
incapable of thinking rationally for himself - and get him
institutionalized for the better of his health?"

Another mother with addictions in the family agreed with that approach.

"Youth, on an everyday basis really believe they're invincible. And
in a youth that's addicted, times ten that."

She said people taking drugs don't just risk hurting themselves; they
can hurt others if they drive while under the influence, for example.

Joe Borden, who works with young people at the P.E.I. Youth Centre,
sees youth who come in to serve time in very bad shape - sometimes
close to death.

He described how they get healthy when sequestered, explaining they
have a gym, good food and bed by 10 p.m.

"But there comes a problem when you're ready to release that kid.
Where do you put him? You open the door. He has to go out."

Borden said there's a need for a facility to bridge the gap between
the centre and life in the community.

He said many families feel they should be able to force youth to get help.

"I have mixed feelings on that," he admitted. "It doesn't matter. The
bottom line is we're losing too many kids."