FOSTER-CARE DETOX PROGRAM TO HELP ADDICTED TEENS

Addicted teenagers struggling to kick their habits can begin
recovering in specialized foster-care homes by the end of the month.

Interior Health has announced Okanagan Families Society will receive
$216,000 a year to supervise the detox program in the Valley. The
society has set up two short-term beds in Kelowna, two in Vernon and
is looking for homes in Kelowna and Penticton to house four more.

"There will be no drugs or alcohol allowed on the premises," said
Dennis Dandeneau, the society's executive director.

"People will be detoxing, but they'll be medically assessed prior to
going into the homes to determine their suitability."

The safe beds are open to people under age 19 who are addicted to
drugs or alcohol. The homeowners will shelter and feed them three
meals a day for up to 30 days. Interior Health will provide
counsellors who visit the homes regularly and develop the client's
sobriety plan.

Only moderate cases will be eligible. Addicts suffering extreme
withdrawal will get medical detoxification in Kamloops or
mental-health services in Kelowna, said Ira Roness, the Okanagan's
senior manager of alcohol and drug services.

The foster-home approach follows the closure of the Iridian Centre, a
youth-detox facility in downtown Kelowna funded by the federal
government and operated by the Kelowna Families Society.

Since the five-bed centre shut down more than a year ago, addicted
young people looking for help have had to travel to treatment centres
in Kamloops and Williams Lake.

The Iridian Centre provided round-the-clock medical care and
specialized in crystal meth and crack cocaine addictions. The foster
homes will accept a wider range of drug and alcohol habits.

If a client's behaviour is "inappropriate," he or she may be kicked
out, said Roness.

The clients are expected to stay at the home for the first week or
so. No friends can visit, but relatives are encouraged to drop by,
said Dandeneau.

"Some of these young people won't be coming from a family home.
(Caregivers) will provide them with a safe place to detox."

If a client becomes violent or acts out, the caregiver can call
police or send him to hospital. If he uses drugs or alcohol, he may
be evicted. The caregiver receives $50 per client per day.

Each foster home will house two beds. The society is looking for
appropriate families to supervise a pair of beds each in Kelowna and Penticton.

The program is part of a $6 million package allocated by the B.C.
government to treat youth addictions provincewide. Interior Health
received $900,000 and is matching that funding with an equal
investment of dollars toward the strategy.

For more information on the program, call 763-0456.