NEW PROGRAM HELPS PEOPLE DETOX AT HOME

People living in Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Coquitlam who are addicted
to drugs and alcohol can now detox at home under a new pilot project.

Fraser Health's Maple Cottage Detox Centre has introduced a Home Withdrawal
and Management Program to help people 19 years and older quit their
addictions with the support of a nurse. The program is so far only
available in the Tri-Cities and Burnaby.

Maple Cottage Detox is a 22-bed facility that provides withdrawal
management from substance misuse to both men and women in the Fraser Health
region, which stretches from Burnaby to Boston Bar. The facility also has
some beds for teens aged 14-18 who are trying to get clean.

The new home program is a departure from traditional detox, which usually
requires a stay at a centre.

"Detoxing doesn't have to take place within the walls of a centre," said
Susan McKela, manager of Health Services/Maple Cottage Detox. "And this is
an opportunity for us to promote an effective continuum of detox services
that can possibly better meet the needs of some of our clients, and at the
same time increase access to our services to more individuals in need of
support."

People who wish to take part in the program will have to be assessed to see
if they are suited to safely completing their detox at home with the
support of daily visits from an early discharge nurse. The nurse will also
provide daily assessment, education and make recommendations for any needed
referrals for withdrawal management.

The pilot project will be evaluated in six months to find out if it's
working and adding value to the Maple Cottage detox program.