FAMILIES CREATE SUCCESS

It's the first of its kind in the North Island. The John Howard
Society of North Island has received funding from Vancouver Island
Health Authority to provide youth with 3 beds for detox and
stabilization in the Campbell River, Courtenay area.

"Families provide a safe, quiet, comfortable haven to assist youth to
begin their transition to a healthy lifestyle" says Kerry Hammell of JHSNI.

The John Howard Society of North Island has been successfully
operating a Youth Detox and Supportive Recover program for youth for
approximately five years. Hammell has been the Youth Withdrawal
Management Coordinator since the inception of this program.

Youth voluntarily enter this program and have the choice to leave. "I
let them know that they don't have to run - if they want to leave, I
encourage them to work with me to exit the program safely," says Hammell.

The youth would be placed in family homes that offer them a
comfortable nurturing environment in which they "detox and
"stabilize" from alcohol and/or drug use. The goal is that each
individual youth will take temporary refuge in a family home as they
go through their unique withdrawal process. A wholesome environment
with nurturing caregivers in a home setting is the optimal setting to
support a youth's transition from substance misuse into a healthier lifestyle.

Youth going through the detoxification process are placed in the
family home for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, "7 - 10 days typically."
During this time, the caregivers provide the youth with a comfortable
bedroom, meals, encouragement and emotional support. Once the detox
period is complete, the youth enters the stabilization period which
can last several weeks or longer. Stabilization may involve returning
to school, searching for work, attending support group meeting and
making other significant lifestyle changes. The youth may continue to
live in the family home for the duration of this stabilization
period, or they may decide to return home and continue recovery with
the support of family. Although a youth going through the withdrawal
process often has very few needs beyond rest, food and comfort,
family home caregivers also offer support on an emotional level.

The Society remains in daily contact with the homes and provides
on-going training and 24 hour support to Caregivers. No Family for
Youth is left alone with questions or concerns about the recovering youth.

The John Howard Society of North Island has been successfully
providing 24 hour care for youth in family care homes sine September
2004. Families can make a difference. BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION,
BECOME A PART OF THE TEAM. Call the Youth Justice Resources Worker
at: 923-9388 ext 225 or visit the website: www.jhsni.bc.ca if you are
interested in joining this team.