ADDICTION PROGRAM GETS BOOST

The provincial government is spending more money to treat people in
Saskatoon and area who are addicted to heroin and other opiates.

About 230 patients are enrolled in the Saskatoon Health Region's
methadoneassisted recovery program, based at Saskatoon City Hospital.
Three physicians and one counsellor work together to help drug addicts
wean themselves off heroin and other opiates by prescribing a regular
dose of methadone.

With the $110,000 increase to the program's annual budget starting
this year, the region will hire another full-time and possibly a
part-time counsellor.

"We will be much better able to respond to those people who do choose
to deal with that addiction and approach us for service," said Greg
Drummond, the health region's general manager of mental health and
addictions services.

The additional money will mean counsellors will get more involved with
the addicts in their communities.

"The people when they first come are often in pretty poor shape," said
Drummond.

The patients are not only dealing with their addiction to narcotics
but also with unstable lives. They may not have a job, could be
homeless and may be dealing with family problems. They may also be
committing crimes to support their dependence on the illegal drugs.

The counsellors will be better able to keep track of patients as
well.

"People come and go from the program. People come and they'll be
involved for a while and maybe they'll fall off the program and then
come back," said Drummond.

The provincial money comes from Project Hope announced by Premier
Lorne Calvert in August. The government has committed $10 million for
each of three years to prevent and treat substance abuse.