MELODY ACRES GETS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROGRAM FOR DRUG-ADDICTED YOUTH

'One Of A Kind Pilot Project' Uses Horses To Help In Behaviour Modification

A local program that uses horses as an aid in behaviour modification
for children and young adults will become a federally supported "one
of a kind pilot project" for drug-addicted youth who have gotten into
trouble with the law.

The Partners in Process Equine Learning Centre, based at Melody Acres
on Highway 6 and 10 between Rockford and Chatsworth, will receive
$250,000 over three years to administer the project, known officially
as "Connecting Youth in the Justice System with Equine Assisted
Illicit Drug Addiction Therapy."

The federal funding, part of the government's national anti-drug
strategy, was announced Monday by Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Larry
Miller on behalf of federal Justice Minister Rob Nicolson. "It's
another step in this government's fight against illicit drugs which
undermine healthy families and safe communities," Miller said.

"This is something new that's never been tried before" beyond the
local level, Miller said. "It's a one of a kind pilot project.

"But once this gets out and around, many other communities across the
province are going to be scrutinizing this and I think they're going
to be approaching governments, wondering how they can get onto this.
I feel very good about this . . . we need to do more things like this."

The money will help Melanie Gray and Al Edwards of Melody Acres
continue the work they've started with troubled young people, helping
them build self-esteem and change negative behaviour.

"I'm so thankful for all the agencies and private people that sent
support letters for this program," said Gray, adding it took
approximately a year and a half to get funding approval.

"Our success will lead to other programs being offered throughout
Ontario and across Canada. The goal of Partners in Process is to
expand the program to all those it may benefit regardless of their issues."

Young people who enter the judicial system because of illicit drug
use will be eligible for the program. Horses are used to help youth
learn about trust and about taking responsibility for their actions.

Gray and Edwards say they have already had success with young people
who have come to Partners in Process through other avenues.

Gray mentioned one 16-year-old as an example of someone whose life
changed after being involved with the program. She said the teenager
was a substance abuser with a bad attitude and a poor outlook on life.

Within a half-hour of his arrival at Melody Acres, he was kicking a
soccer ball around with a horse. After only four sessions with the
horses, he is drug-free, enrolled in a trade school and excited about
mentoring other young people in the program, an option Gray said is
open to all who come through it.

She said thanks should go to the Partners in Process board of
directors who, operating alongside supporters in the local legal and
judicial systems, pushed the project along and got the attention of
Justice Canada.

"By working together and by sharing ideas collectively, we can change
the future for some individuals," Gray said.

There is no set amount of time for young people to complete the
program. Some will finish much sooner than others, Gray said, so
there is no telling how many the program can accommodate.

"Some agencies are asking me about group sessions, which will be
perfect . . . that way we can handle more kids," she said.