HEALTH REGION APPROVES LAND FOR NEW FACILITY

Centre Will Treat Youths Addicted To Drugs, Alcohol

The Saskatoon Health Region is placing its hope on a piece of property
southeast of the city.

"We think it's the best of both worlds," said Greg Drummond, director
of Saskatoon Health Region's mental health and addiction services.

On Wednesday, the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority approved the
purchase of 11.7 acres of land south of Highway 16 and east of Highway
11 for a new treatment facility for youths addicted to drugs and
alcohol. The purchase price for the land sandwiched between the
Saskatoon Christian School and Lakeview Church is $332,100.

The land purchase has a couple of hurdles before it is finalized. The
RM of Corman Park must give discretionary use approval for a
residential facility and Saskatchewan Health must approve of the purchase.

The youth treatment facility is one component of Project Hope,
announced by Premier Lorne Calvert in August, 2005. He dedicated $30
million to tackle substance abuse in the province. Saskatoon Health
Region was allocated $6 million for the youth facility which is to
include 12 beds for youth aged 12 to 17 years who want to begin
treatment for their addictions. Another 12 beds will be for youth who
need to be stabilized before entering treatment. Some of those
stabilization beds will be used for youth who will be held against
their will, but who've been ordered into treatment by a judge.

"This is not a criminal facility. It is not a jail, but just like in
other parts of our health system where people aren't able to make good
decisions that they need to make to receive care and where their lack
of their ability to make that decision puts them at imminent risk,
sometimes there is a need to hold that person," said Drummond.

All the teens entering the treatment facility would be screened to
ensure that they can be properly cared for at the centre, he says.

By locating on the outskirts of Saskatoon, the treatment centre will
have significantly more outdoor space than it would if built in the
city, yet it's close enough to the city for the youth to access other
services if needed.

"Physical activity needs to be part of the recovery process. They
can't just sit and engage in a talking approach to healing," said Drummond.

"We also want to be able to provide some culturally appropriate
practices. So that might allow us to have a sweat lodge."

While waiting for approval for the land purchase, planning will
continue on the design of the treatment facility. If approval is
granted by Saskatchewan Health and the RM of Corman Park, construction
would begin this summer with a move-in date in the fall of 2008.

Once the new youth facility opens, the Calder Centre where youth
treatment services are now provided in Saskatoon will be renovated to
provide family-centred addictions treatment for adults.