LOSS OF DETOX UNIT 'PUTS LIVES AT RISK'

Woman Who Says Centre Saved Her Life Collects 400 Signatures To
Reverse Latest Budget Cut

"Lives will be lost" when Chilliwack's detox unit is closed next
month, says former patient Cindy Ward, who understands the ravages of
alcohol addiction.

"I shook so badly I needed to keep drinking. I lost all control of my
life," Ward said Wednesday.

"The detox unit saved my life three times."

Ward is fighting on behalf of the 10-bed unit at Chilliwack General
Hospital, which the Fraser Health Authority is set to close Dec. 31.

The $1.3-million program, one of only a handful in B.C., is a victim
of Fraser Health's $160-million budget cuts this year.

Mental health director Lois Dixon said a "choice" had to be made.

"I understand Chilliwack's disappointment. The community is very
passionate about health issues," she said.

Ward, 28, said "no amount of money is worth the lives that could be
saved."

Her problems with alcohol started as a teenager in Abbotsford, even
though she said she had a normal family life.

"I'm definitely an alcoholic. I can't drink anymore. I probably would
have lost everything. Luckily, I came to my senses," she said.

"Society is not educated enough about addiction. Addiction is a
disease. There are a lot of sick people who need help," said Ward, who
has gathered a petition, with 400 signatures, that will be presented
to hospital officials.

Located within the hospital, the unit provided a safe environment,
expert treatment and non-narcotic medications.

It has served about 550 patients annually for short stays -- even more
if patients who stay less than 24 hours are counted.

But Dixon said the centre had a 40-per-cent vacancy rate, due to
"no-shows," despite efforts to keep it fully booked.

Responding to fears that lives will be lost, she said space would be
found in the system.

"I would hope [troubled persons] would make the call, so we can get
those clients into the type of detox that would meet their needs," she
said.

She said other choices include transportation to Surrey's detox
facility, a home-detox program, group-outpatient therapy and even the
hospital's busy emergency ward.

Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz said Fraser Health's decision is "not a
solution" that meets the city's needs.

"It's a fact that drug and alcohol use are attributable to 80 per cent
of crime.

"When you take away the opportunity to get on the right road, crime
rates go up. That's huge," said Gaetz, a former church minister who
has accepted drug addicts into her home.

"What's most disappointing is that we know from experts this will set
us back a decade," she said.