DETOX BEDS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOUTH

To the Editor,

Re: Detox beds on the way for Nanaimo youth, Aug. 8.

I was pleased to read that six government-funded youth detox beds will
be available in Nanaimo this fall,withADAPT'ssupport.

However, I must temper my enthusiasm, as detox (withdrawal management)
and stabilization beds are not "treatment beds."

This is just one segment in the continuum of care needed by our
addicted youth. We must at the same time expand the number of
long-term residential treatment beds for youth.

At present, eight long-term residential youth treatment beds serve the
entire province.If we do not move beyond detox and
stabilization services, many youth will end up going back to drugs.

VIHA has stepped up to the plate by expanding addiction services in
our community. However, we need our provincial government to provide
more funding for long-term residential treatment beds, not only in
theVIHA region but throughout B.C. so that our addicted youth may go
on to lead healthy lives.

PAT JOHNSON

Director, From Grief To Action,

Nanaimo