16 BEDS ADDED TO TREAT YOUNG ADDICTS

The Vancouver Island Health Authority's share of $8 million in
provincial funding for crystal meth treatment and youth drug issues
will lead to 16 new treatment beds for young addicts.

VIHA, one of six health authorities in the province, is getting
$1,539,324 for Island needs, including $363,324 specifically for
dealing with the problem of crystal methamphetamine, a highly
addictive drug that has been sweeping through many communities. The
bulk of the funding, $1.18 million, is an increase in VIHA's annual
budget for youth addiction issues.

Of the 16 new treatment beds coming to Vancouver Island, at least
four will give priority to crystal meth addicts.

"That also means that many of those youth might be using more than
one substance," said Michelle Dartnall, VIHA's manager of youth
addiction services.

She said some preliminary planning for the 16 new beds has already
begun, along with consultations involving communities and other partners.

"Probably between June and September we'll have the new services in place."

The dispersal of the beds among population centres includes six in
Victoria for either "withdrawal management" or "residential
stabilization" patients, six in Nanaimo, two in Parksville and two or
more in Courtenay/Campbell River

Also in the works are intensive day-treatment services for the
south-central and north areas of the Island, which Dartnall said is
an example of the efforts being made to take the treatment pressure
off Victoria's resources.

"Youth from all over the Island have been accessing those resources," she said.

At present, the capital region has five youth detox beds, along with
such options as a local shelter that can deal with some youth
addicts, Dartnall said.

"And we're trying to plan for some existing residential supports."

Health Minister George Abbott said Thursday's funding announcement
will mean a 75 per cent increase around the province in treatment
beds for youth addictions, bringing the number of beds to 158.

"In addition, the crystal meth funding will ensure targeted treatment
and support services are in place for individuals using
methamphetamine, and their families," he said in a statement.

The total number of addiction treatment beds in B.C. for all patients
is 1,038, according to the Health Ministry.

NDP Leader Carole James said the added money for addiction services
is positive news, but that the government should have acted much earlier.

"I'm disappointed that it took them this long," she said. "I'm
worried that we're still playing catch-up."