NEW DRUG REHAB MODEL HERE?

An innovative Italian drug treatment model with a remarkable success
rate is being eyed by regional officials for possible introduction to
the Lower Mainland.

San Patrignano is a residential drug rehabilitation centre in northern
Italy that began with one man, Vincenzo Muccioli, who welcomed a group
of young drug addicts into his home in 1978.

Today, Muccioli's dream has grown into the largest drug rehab centre
in Europe, serving 1,800 "guests."

The services at San Patrignano are free of charge and without social,
political or religious discrimination. The only condition to enter the
program is a desire to face and overcome drug addiction.

San Patrignano is a long-term social and education program focusing on
dignity, honesty, responsibility and respect. Some guests stay as long
as three to four years.

Approximately 50 per cent of the funding necessary to run the centre
comes from internal economic activities such as agriculture and food
production, crafts, and breeding and training race horses and show
dogs. The balance comes from donations.

The centre boasts 50 job training sectors in which guests learn the
professional skills necessary to return to society and a normal life.
San Patrignano has the on-site services necessary to run as a small
town of 2,000, including a kindergarten for the children of staff and
guests, a hospital and a small village where families live.

Most of the 180 staff and volunteers working at the centre (half are
former addicts themselves) also live in the community.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about San Patrignano is its success
rate. After having left the community for at least three years, close
to 73 per cent of former guests had a house, a job, a family and were
no longer addicted to drugs.

Studies indicate many drug rehab programs in North America have
success rates of between 40 and 60 per cent.

While drug rehabilitation is not a Greater Vancouver Regional District
(GVRD) mandate, a report from regional officials who visited San
Patrignano suggests the model could work in the Lower Mainland.

GVRD deputy chief administrative officer Delia Laglagaron, who toured
San Patrignano this summer, said regional district officials are
impressed with the program and want to gauge whether there is interest
from government and non-government bodies to begin a similar program
in Greater Vancouver.

Laglagaron said the regional district may look at providing land to
study the program and measure support from potential partners.