BED SHORTAGE PUTS ADDICTS' LIVES AT RISK

The lives of hundreds of women and children are at risk due to a critical
local shortage of residential beds for female drug and booze addicts, it
was claimed yesterday.

Cathy Wood, executive director of the Aventa Treatment Foundation for Women
in Calgary, said long waiting lists are preventing women from getting help
when they need it most.

And she warned that unless the foundation secures $5 million to build a
larger treatment centre, the "life-threatening situation" that now exists
could get worse.

'Women Are Waiting'

"Due to the waiting lists of residential services, we are finding that
women are waiting for treatment and are basically isolated and
unsupported," she said.

"They are using substances and risking their lives and the lives of their
children.

"If we don't get the $5 million, this will continue to be a chronic issue."

Aventa is the only centre in Western Canada that provides alcohol, drug and
gambling treatment exclusively to women on an outpatient and residential basis.

Waiting lists for residential care at the centre are up to three months
long, though outpatient treatment can be quicker.

On any given day, an average of 35 women are on a waiting list for access
to Aventa's short-term beds.

The foundation served 1,903 women and their families last year -- a 34%
jump over the year prior.

Wood fears the number of addicts will continue to climb as Alberta's
population continues to soar.

Numbers Could Climb

The centre, which receives most of its funding from AADAC, hopes to improve
the situation by building a $5-million facility.

The expansion would allow the centre to treat 50 women at a time by 2004,
up from the 16 patients it can now admit.

"This is a serious health issue," she said.

"We need more beds. Calgary is booming, addictions is a big issue and we
need more beds for women."

Wood hopes the provincial government will step in and help.