RED DEER DETOX TURNING AWAY CLIENTS

Staff at the detox centre in Red Deer have had to turn away about 600
people this year because they have been at full capacity.

"This really speaks to the need for a treatment program here," said
Colleen Markus, director of programs for Central Alberta Safe Harbour
Society for Health and Housing.

More than 500 people have been treated at the detox centre this past
year.

"The numbers are not surprising," said Markus. "We were expecting that
based on the numbers we had when we were operating out of the
temporary detox which only had a few beds.

"There we treated about 300 people."

As well, the wait list to get into the detox centre is always
full.

"The number of people on the wait list is always consistent," said
Markus. "It's about a month wait to get in."

She added most people who are coming into the detox are fighting
addictions of alcohol or crack cocaine.

The $2 million detox centre and over night mat shelter, located at
5246-53 Ave. behind the former A&B Sound opened in July 2007.

The building houses a 20-bed non-medical detox centre and 20-mat
overnight shelter.

The mat program is also in high demand, although the need is not as
urgent as last year, said Markus.

"We're full every single night, especially around this time of year,"
she said. "But we meet the need most nights."

Last year, Safe Harbour began staffing the Winter Inn
program.

The Winter Inn program runs through until April and offers those on
the street a warm place to stay at night.

The program is available primarily at the churches in the downtown
core.

"This year we've also had lots of donations from individuals and
businesses for those programs," said Markus. "We've received hats and
mitts from people and we're really appreciative of that."