FORUM DISCUSSES ADDICTIONS

Is progress being made in preventing and treating drug addiction in
Saskatchewan?

The public can get an update tonight at a free forum titled
Partnerships: making a difference in addictions.

Organized by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region in partnership with
the Regina & Area Drug Strategy, the forum will be held at Wascana
Rehabilitation Centre Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.

"We're hoping to get parents, teachers, young people, professionals
- -- anyone interested to attend," said Carla Bolen, the health
region's manager of health promotion in mental health and addictions.

Partnerships are making a difference, she said.

The Drug Treatment Court, a pilot project that merges health and the
law to deal with drug-addicted, non-violent offenders would not have
been possible without collaboration between Sask. Health and Sask.
Justice, Bolen said. "In some provinces, it hasn't happened that way
- -- one or the other has taken it on and from what we've heard from
other provinces, it probably isn't as good a model as we have here in
Saskatchewan," she said.

Beginning with the Regina Crime Prevention Commission, a drug
strategy was developed that involved health, justice, learning,
community resources, the City of Regina, community-based
organizations and citizens.

Darlene Rude, co-ordinator of the Drug Treatment Court, will explain
the initiative at the forum.

"This is the first time that we've spoken publicly about the drug
treatment court," Bolen said. "Darlene will explain what that is, the
kind of individuals that are coming and the kind of successes that
they've had so far."

Forum participants will hear about the effects of the secure youth
detox act, which gives parents and guardians the means to force
drug-addicted youth into detoxification and is another example of
collaboration between justice and health, Bolen said.

Although there can be disagreement about approaches to addiction,
"It's where we've come together that is really making a difference,"
she said. "I think that if people understand what we've done and the
approach that we're taking, perhaps that will increase their
understanding of our services and make them more accessible."