DETOX HELPS YOUTH HEAL

More Beds For Young People Struggling With Substance Abuse Are
Making A Difference

Most teens only have to worry about their grades or getting grounded;
not where their next fix is coming from.

But for young people who have been caught up in the drug trade,
addiction is a tragic reality.

But it would be even worse if there was nothing to help them; no place
to detox and no follow-up program for those who need that further
stability. It would also be tragic for a community that would have
failed those young people.

Sue Howard, with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Society, and the co-ordinator of the society's youth withdrawal
management program, said treating young people can present significant
challenges. Youths can be referred by professionals, families, or even
themselves, but the program is entirely voluntary. Those who insist on
leaving are free to do so.

"It takes about three weeks to detox from crystal meth, the usual
seven-to 10-day detox isn't enough," said Howard. "Part of my role is
to support any youth in the central Island for their detox needs."

Funding came through for the two detox and four stabilization beds
from the Vancouver Island Health Authority late last year, and Howard
said the program started in January. Since then they have seen 28
young people go through the program. The objective, said Howard, is to
break the cycle of addictive behaviours and to change the lifestyle
that has led to the addiction -- for the youth and their family.

While the detox process can take several weeks, the available
"stabilization beds" allow young people to remain for up to three
months in a safe place as they work on their recovery. Though not all
need the stabilization beds, Howard said they are crucial for some.

"Some of them go back to their communities and it's in their best
interest to get more support," she said. "Without long enough time
with adequate support they can keep falling into that lifestyle."

Through the process they are also assisted by VIHA crisis nurses, as
well as staff from Clearview Detox in Nanaimo. Even the RCMP, said
Howard, offer support, as well as various community groups that
provide resources and activities.

During that time they may learn life skills and get back into
schooling as they increase their sobriety. Families also participate
in learning about addiction, and how to participate in recovery with
the youth.

"It's going to increase their chances," said Howard.

One man, a foster parent who has put a 12-year-old in a detox bed,
speaks very highly of the program. He cannot be named to protect the
youth, who he called at "very high risk" for a serious alcohol abuse
problem. The man has 20 years of experience in social work.

"Alcohol and drug detox and treatment have always been a massive
challenge for youth," he said.

The ADAPT program, he said, differs in that there is a good chance
that a youth from almost anywhere on the Island will get in for detox
almost immediately.

The other advantage, he said, is it is centered around youths, and run
by people who understand the dynamics of youth addiction. After two
days the boy wanted to leave, and called to be picked up. But staff
worked with him and the foster dad to find a way for him to stay.

He later completed the program and arrived home better able to work on
his recovery.

While the youth detox has been effective for this youth, the foster
dad said it is important for the community to overcome the stigma
attached to people facing addiction.

Howard said a crucial part of the program is what happens for youths
as they do move back into society. They are not left on their own.

"We work with quite an extensive team, so when they return to a
community they have that support," she said. "We have highly trained
detox workers who support youth while they are here."

They have youths participate in activities that give them incentive to
get clean and stay clean. They focus on things they like, and feel
good about.

Howard vouches for the effectiveness of a youth-oriented
detox.

"I have contact with clients who were really street entrenched, who
have now created stable lives for themselves," she said. "These are
early days, but we see optimistic outcomes."

The foster dad said that the lack of resources for children is
equivalent to throwing money at a problem that won't go away.

"As a society we cannot afford not to be providing these
services."

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO YOUNG PEOPLE'S DRUG USE

The idea of someone as young as 12 being hooked on booze or drugs may
sound odd to an adult, but it's actually not so difficult to understand.

Sue Howard, who manages withdrawal services for ADAPT, cited peer
pressure, self-medication and the innocence of youth. Some
self-medicate for emotional pain, using any drug. Others with a
hyperactive disorder may find crystal meth allows them to focus, and
many girls have started using meth to get thin.

"There is some evidence that some girls use crystal meth for weight
loss," said Howard.

Some youths also get drawn into drug use through recruiting, and
sometimes the use is linked to sexual activity. Howard has asked young
people why they would use alcohol and other drugs. The most popular
answer leads back to a lack of knowledge.

"The largest response is they feel invincible," she
said.

Many youths also begin using alcohol, known in addiction treatment
circles as the gateway drug of all gateway drugs, for social acceptance.

Howard has asked young people enough times to hear the answer a number
of times - "it's fun."

But she and others are concerned that while alcohol is damaging, new
chemical drugs can be devastating. Howard said she has seen youths who
have induced permanent psychosis and damaged internal organs by
abusing chemical drugs.

Howard said drug use among young people is not that different to
adults.

"They start using drugs for the same reasons as adults," she said.