VIHA's RESPONSE IS NOT ENOUGH

People With Addictions Or Mental Illnesses Need Help -- And They Are
Not Getting It

The Vancouver Island Health Authority's response to criticism of its
failure to provide adequate addiction and mental health services
simply indicates the depth of the problem.

Faced with broad community concern, including a damning critique from
the authority's own former clinical director of psychiatric emergency
services, VIHA has defended its record and called for more meetings.
It plans to bring together "a cross-section of jurisdictions,
organizations and agencies involved with those living with addictions
to examine this issue in detail," says CEO Howard Waldner.

It's a hopelessly inadequate response. VIHA has had responsibility for
addiction and mental health services for five years. Its decisions --
along with the silence of local politicians -- have led to the current
crisis. Services, treatment and support are needed.

There's a grim irony here. Agencies and community groups struggling to
deal with the problems have tried to involve VIHA in their efforts,
without success. The Crystal Meth Victoria Society was able to bring
together a broad coalition -- educators, police, businesspeople,
nurses, representatives from local and provincial governments. But
VIHA would not participate. Other agencies report similar
frustrations.

Now, faced with a concerned public demanding action and answers, VIHA
wants to hold meetings.

The public anger is justified. VIHA has not done its job. The Capital
Region has a total of just seven beds for people trying to take the
first steps to quit drugs. Treatment is not available when people need
it. A lack of post-treatment support leaves addicts vulnerable to
relapse. The services are inadequate, "even by so-called Third World
standards," according to Dr. Anthony Barale, the emergency psychiatric
services director who resigned in frustration.

Even the supposedly good news stories on addiction reveal tragedies in
the making. The Salvation Army has just announced plans for a six-bed
treatment centre for meth-addicted youth, with about one-third of the
funding coming from VIHA.

But two months before the centre will open, 150 desperate parents have
already called seeking treatment for their children. With just six
beds available, 144 of them are out of luck.

The public's alarm is clear. But where are members of the VIHA board
of directors, supposedly accountable to the public? Where is Health
Minister George Abbott, or cabinet ministers and MLAs Ida Chong and
Murray Coell? They set the funding and policies that led to this crisis.

Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe says he wants to take a delegation to raise
the problems with Premier Gordon Campbell.

"The general public is downright mad and there is a perception that
we're not doing anything," he says. Indeed.

VIHA's failure to deliver needed services has created a terrible
situation for those struggling with mental illness and addictions,
their families and the entire community.

The public should not be stalled or placated with promises of more
meetings.

It is time for action, not talk.