NO ROOM FOR GIRLS IN DRUG REHAB

Jordan is 17 years old and he is about to take the biggest step in his
life. Although fearful, he is one of the lucky ones, as the same
opportunity escapes many teenagers.

After six months of coming clean from crystal meth, Jordan is
graduating from the Salvation Army-operated Beacon of Hope recovery
home.

The six-bed house is the only free residential youth supportive
recovery facility in Greater Victoria - a service not yet offered on
Vancouver Island for females.

"Over the past two years I have had over a 100 requests from females
looking for help," said Rhiannon Porcellato, the recovery home's
program director.

Victoria is home to six youth detox beds - five through the Youth
Empowerment Society and another through the Greater Victoria Boys and
Girls Club.

Once through detox, there are five beds available in a family care
model run by the Greater Victoria Boys and Girls Club. The usual
amount of time spent in a detox bed is five to 10 days, while family
placements are up to three months.

The home care system, with counselling services, seems to be working
well, said Michelle Dartnall, Vancouver Island Health Authority's
manager of youth and family services. Most youth are able to enter the
program after only a one to five day wait, she said.

"I think we are doing fairly well because what we are trying to do is
offer the least intrusive services for youth," Dartnall said.

"We are trying to keep youth engaged in their community and we are
trying to keep youth engaged in school."

But more long-term supportive recovery is needed on Island, Porcellato
said, especially for girls.

A year ago she was one of the main drivers behind the opening of
Beacon of Hope, now she is doing the same for the other gender.

A location has not been found for such a program, but Porcellato is
determine to have something up and running by the end of October.

It's been a struggle. It took three years to open the boys recovery
homes, which continually has a waitlist, and the girls unit has been
four years in the works.

Funding is a constant issue. It costs $350,000 annually to run the six
beds at Beacon of Hope, with VIHA pitching in $140,000. If senior
government, city and VIHA are serious about tackling addiction, it's
time they step up to the plate, Porcellato said.

"We need guaranteed funding," she said. "We need their support to
really do well at this."

Vancouver Island also has no intensive treatment facility. Currently
any youth needing such treatment must go to the Lower Mainland or the
Interior, Dartnall said, something some teenagers find
intimidating.

VIHA is working with other organizations to analyze the need for such
facility and possibly creating an on-Island treatment centre.

For Jordan, Beacon of Hope was the way to go. He first tried meth when
he was 15 years old and found himself on and off the street as his
family struggled to deal with his drug use.

He will always be addicted, he said, but the support of Beacon of Hope
has eased the urge to use.

Graduating is scary, he admits, he is nervous but knows there will
always be a place he can go for help, something which hopefully soon
will be available for girls, too.