RECOVERY HOME MARKS 32 YEARS

When Don Dailey first walked into Rockhaven recovery home 20 years ago, he
was just a shell of a man.

In a fog of alcohol addiction, it was hard for Dailey to imagine that life
could be so good. Even though he's cleaned up and moved on with his life,
Dailey said he hasn't forgotten the foundation that Rockhaven provided.

"I needed a place where I didn't have to worry about where my next meal was
coming from. I needed time to get my head screwed on right," he said.

Dailey spoke last night at Rockhaven's 32nd annual meeting, attended by
board members, staff, present and former residents.

Rockhaven, which began in 1969 by the Mennonite Service Board, provides a
safe place for men who want to stop their substance abuse.

Rockhaven provided services to 145 men in 2000.

The men are mostly self-referred, but some are referred by hospitals,
courts, other treatment centres and family.

Despite increased operating costs, the funding Rockhaven receives from the
Substance Abuse Bureau under the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care is
decreasing, said Patricia Delyea, Rockhaven's director.

Rockhaven took a $7,000 decrease in government funding this year to
$375,000. Rockhaven, along with other addiction and recovery services, has
started its own fund raising to keep up with costs.

Delyea said Rockhaven is planning to hold a silent auction in the near
future to reach the community for support.

Jean Trimnell, Sudbury Algoma Hospital chief executive officer, said
addiction and recovery services have historically been underfunded,
especially compared to the amount of money other health-care sectors
receive from the government.

Last year, the province gave $155 million to substance abuse programs in
Ontario compared with $900 million for other health sectors, such as
hospital services.

As the stigma of substance abuse decreases, Trimnell said, more people are
coming forward to ask for help.

"We have to make sure we will have services for them," she said.

There is also growing recognition of a significant overlap in people who
have substance abuse problems and mental health problems.

Trimnell, who moved to Sudbury from Toronto about eight months ago, said
she was surprised that drugs such as cocaine and heroin are so accessible,
even in remote areas in the North.

Years ago, alcohol addiction used to be the most common addiction in the
North. But abuse of drugs such as heroin and cocaine is on the rise.