AN ADDICT'S WHITE KNIGHT

Ottawa police chief Vern White demonstrated leadership this month by
travelling to Toronto and personally making the case for proper drug
treatment facilities in Ottawa.

In the policing world, there are probably still a few old-timers who
think substance abuse is mainly a law enforcement issue and that the
principal problem facing drug addicts is a flawed moral character.
Chief White, it appears, is not one of them. His efforts to bring
residential drug treatment services to Ottawa suggests he understands
that addicts might need help more than handcuffs. The chief met with
Premier Dalton McGuinty, after pushing for such a meeting for months.
Chief White called the 45-minute meeting "very promising." This
coincided with the promise from Dr. Robert Cushman, chief executive
of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, that indeed Ottawa
will be getting two residential drug treatment centres for youth
between the ages of 13 and 17.

Many of the city's drug-addicted youth are the first ones to admit
they need help; some are literally crying out for it. Currently,
however, youth who need residential care are being sent as far away
as Winnipeg. Treatment in Ottawa will keep them closer to their
families where they have more support and where the chance of
recovery is better.

That the chief of police would advocate for these young people is
symbolically significant. A 17-year-old street kid who is addicted to
crystal meth is not the first person for whom many public officials
would want to go to bat. The city will be better for the chief's efforts.

A residential drug treatment facility has been talked about for
years. Dr. Cushman has described youth addiction as the orphan of
health treatment. It's encouraging that finally people are listening.