ADDICT'S MOM HAILS FUNDING

Diane Sowden was "overwhelmed" yesterday to hear the B.C. government is
spending $9.25 million to help B.C.'s young addicts.

Sowden, whose daughter is a heroin addict, said she hopes the money will
help "treat the entire family" of young people hooked on drugs and booze.

"The addiction is often created by the family, and the entire family suffers
the effects of the addiction," said Sowden, executive director of Children
of the Street Society -- a group of parents who've lost their kids to
prostitution and drugs.

The new funding includes $4.07 million for 75 new treatment-facility beds,
intensive youth day treatment and family and youth counselling, as well as
$2.18 million for youth-justice addiction services and $3 million in capital
funding.

Currently there are only 42 youth beds in the province.

Children and Families Minister Lois Boone said 30 more beds will be located
throughout Greater Vancouver. Nine other high-need B.C. communities will
also get beds.

There will be six dual-diagnosis beds for youth who have mental disorders on
top of their addictions.

"We have had a tremendous lack of residential treatment beds," said Boone.
"I'm very hopeful that this will meet our needs."

She said treating youths for drug and alcohol programs is far superior to
putting them behind bars.

"In some cases it will provide them with services, as opposed to locking
them up," she said.

"Adolescence is a risky time for many young people. This is something I've
been very worried about."