'NOT EVERYBODY WHO USES DRUGS ARE ADDICTED'

They're aren't addicts, they're people whose lives have been affected
substance abuse.

Cate Sutherland, executive director of the Addictions Centre for
Hastings/Prince Edward Counties, believes stereotyping drug users as
"addicts" does more harm than good in turning around a user's life.

"It's not accurate. What they did is not what they are," she said,
explaining that when someone hears the word addict, they immediately
think of the sterotypical drug user who steals, lies and will do
anything for their next score.

"All of a sudden this person would turn into this out-of-control
creature," she said.

"If that were true, no one would ever quit," said Sutherland. With
the label comes a stigma.

"Not everybody who uses drugs are addicted," she said.

Sutherland believes this to her core, as do her seven counsellors at
the Front Street headquarters of the Addictions Centre, including Mary Boyce.

Boyce said not everyone who seeks their counsel might have hit the
Hollywood dramatic 'rock bottom', but has felt the effect of
substance abuse in their lives.

Clients include drug users who may visit the centre when their use is
purely experiemental, to the occasional user and regular user or
someone who is dependent on drugs.

Sutherland explained that once a client comes in the doors, no matter
what for, the first thing they ask is, "How can I help you?"

Both Boyce and Sutherland agreed a client must feel that this move is
positive, and that someone is understanding of their position.

"We give an assesment, how it's impacting their life," said Boyce,
adding the two will set goals and negotiate a treatment plan.

"I think we're doing very well," added Sutherland.

The Addictions Centre is a non-profit corporation, sponsored by the
Local Health Integrated Network, Ministry of Corrections, Addiction
Services Program, the local Back on Track program and Ontario Works.

Both women say they couldn't comment on whether drug use in the area
has gone up, or that the rise in their client number has more to do
with their own growth, with more counsellors and more recognition in the city.

"Drugs by youth has decreased in the last 10 years," said Sutherland,
quoting the Drug Use Among Ontario Students study, completed in 2007
by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

As well, they see that their demographics have changed in the last 10
years, from slightly more middle-aged males (60/40) to a ratio where
more women are coming forward. Sutherland attributes that change to
more women feeling increasingly comfortable about seeking help.