PATHWAYS ON UNCERTAIN COURSE

IH Considers Takeover Of Penticton Addiction Resource Centre

The local agency that helps people with drug dependencies faces an
uncertain future, according to its head.

Sherry Ure, chair of the Pathways Addiction Resource Centre, said she
is concerned that locals struggling with addictions would get less
service if the agency were to become a direct part of Interior Health.

IH currently contracts Pathways Resources to provide drug counselling
services, but is now considering absorbing the agency, which
currently services 600 local clients.

But this possibility worries Ure, who fears that such a takeover
would diminish services, thanks to budget constrains now facing IH.

Pathways, said Ure, can do more with less, while IH would be forced
to put more money towards the resource centre to maintain current
service levels - money it likely does not have as it struggles to
close a budget gap, which according to published reports has topped
$28 million.

Ure is now making that point to a number of officials, including
Penticton city council, Interior Health officials and local MLA Bill Barisoff.

During times of recession, alcohol and drug use generally increase,
while dollars available for social services often remain static or
decrease, she said, adding that demand for counselling is higher than ever.

"Thus, I am at a loss to explain how IHA can even begin to supply the
same level of service presently provided by Pathways or why there is
any discussion about a disruption of Pathway's present mode of
funding or operation," she said.

Ure said this uncertainty around the future of Pathways has existed
for some time now, but intensified following the election. Pathways'
current four-month contract with IH is due to expire in September.

Ira Roness, director of addiction services for the Okanagan region
within Interior Health, acknowledged that the health authority is
looking at a number of options, but stressed that IH is not trying to
reduce services.

"We don't want to decrease alcohol or drug counselling services," he
said, adding that IH is still going through a decision-making process
that will include input from all of the parties involved.

That process - which will consider financial, medical and
organizational issues - will not be rushed, he said.

That is why IH's immediate intention is to renew Pathways' current
contract, valued at $465,000, for another six months through to March
31, 2010, he said.

Interior Health wants to end the uncertainty that surrounds Pathways
by providing some stable and lasting arrangements, said Roness,
adding that IH is also considering options other than absorbing the agency.

It could, for example, offer Pathways a long-term contract, as it has
done with other agencies.

Contracts generally run from six to 12 months in length.