PROGRAM GETS MORE CLOUT TO HELP ADDICTS

The Drug Awareness and Recovery Team (DART) Society in Prince George
has taken a big step forward to give support and hope to those
recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. "In January, DART was
officially incorporated under the B.C. Societies Act," said founder
Bob Scott, who has struggled four years to get the project into a
legal position.

"This is a unique program and one you won't find just anywhere,"
added Scott, who is also a recovering drug addict. "DART, in its
simplest form, is about post-treatment care."

Until DART's inception, addicts going through detox and to addiction
clinics came out with no support systems to turn to.

"The number of repeaters is very, very high. It's not realistic to
believe people can go through treatment and then just fit in without
support," Scott said. "This program is a continuum of care for
addicts that moves beyond acute care"

DART teaches members that recovery is a life-long process and
provides assurance that people, with assistance and some effort, can
succeed.

"Most times when an addict repeats, they are the ones blamed, but it
is more often the lack of a continuum of care. It takes years to
resolve many of the issues around addiction," Scott said.

DART is not a counselling service, but works more with mentoring,
providing employment, social connections and volunteer development.
"Our focus is about building relationships and personal connections
with those struggling to maintain their sobriety."

DART has 12 to 15 members, most of whom are recovering addicts, and
now DART has its first executive: president Bev Christensen, a school
board trustee; vice-president Gary Godwin, an RCMP constable; and
secretary Dave Ross, a community volunteer and media consultant.

"These founding board members offer important links to the community,
as well as a strong foundation for this pilot project," said Scott.

DART can now apply for grants to help fund the program.

"We've applied for community development funds ($4,300) from the
Northern Interior Regional Health Board to get the program up and
running."

DART will make a presentation to the NIRHB at its March 14 meeting.
For more information call Scott at 562-2780.