MAN'S SUCCESS STORY DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR FUNDING

Drugs: Ottawa Gives Portage Atlantic Facility $1 Million

CASSIDY LAKE - Kyle Hooton has travelled the road to freedom and that
road started when he entered Portage Atlantic's drug rehabilitation
centre three years ago.

"I came to the Portage program a 21-year-old boy. I didn't know who I
was, I had no confidence," he said Tuesday afternoon before a crowd of
community leaders and fellow youths who have struggled with
addictions. "I had the mentality of a 14-year-old."

He said the nine-month rehabilitation program he participated in made
him realize there were opportunities he didn't know existed, and since
leaving the on scenic Cassidy Lake, near Norton, he has graduated from
college and is preparing for his fall wedding.

Hooton said he was taught values and developed a sense of integrity at
Portage, and he reclaimed the love for his family and realized who his
real friends are.

"(This place) gave me self-worth," the Moncton man said. "Portage
saved my life. Many youths have come to this program and have their
lives changed and saved."

Success stories such as Hooton's are what prompted the federal
government to contribute significant funds for the construction of a
sprawling multipurpose facility on the grounds of a former youth camp
that, in 1996, started offering hope to young substance abusers from
across Atlantic Canada.

Keith Ashfield, minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, announced $1 million in federal funding made
possible through ACOA. He called his first visit to the campus an "eye
opener."

The announcement was made inside the yet-to-be completed building,
which is part of the facility's second phase of improvements.

"Sadly, drugs and alcohol abuse have been a part of our culture for
too long and they invade all aspects of society," Ashfield said.

Ashfield quoted Canadian Centre for Justice statistics that show the
number of people in Canada under age 18 charged with drug possession
has tripled over the past decade.

"In many cases these are not merely unlucky experimenters, but major
users who have problems managing their substance abuse," Ashfield said.

He noted that in New Brunswick, Portage Atlantic reports alarming
facts about the clients they help.

By age 10 and 11 years old, Ashfield said, youths have already started
using drugs such as marijuana, hallucinogens, cocaine and solvents.

Drug use leads to lost interest in school and disconnects users from
their families.

Ashfield said Portage Atlantic offers hope to clients and their loved
ones.

"Substance abuse is everyone's problem as it affects the very core of
our communities - the family. Prosperous, thriving communities are
built on healthy families that are living, working, playing and making
substantial contributions to our communities across the region," he
said.

"Strong and vibrant communities are important for attracting and
retaining people and businesses, and in turn, contributing to the
economic vitality of the region."

Dr. Russell King, chairman of the Portage Atlantic board of directors,
said the funding will enhance facilities and improve opportunities to
assist youth with severe addiction challenges.

"There is an Atlantic Canadian opportunity here. Because of this major
contribution of funding made today, there is an opportunity for more
of our youth to live with freedom from addiction, to be better
students, better spouses, better employees and in some cases become
visionary employees.

"Addiction is a societal problem, has many facets and requires a
societal solution. This is why this announcement today offers hope and
is so significant."

King said there is significance to Cassidy Lake that is never lost as
youths overcome addictions.

"You see, we are all trying in our own way to put this lake on the
map," King said, turning his attention to the lake visible from the
large picture windows of the new facility. "This lake plays such an
important role in the lives of the youth who spend some time here
reflecting on opportunities in their future."

Portage Atlantic is developing a 10,800-square-foot multipurpose
centre that will include classrooms, counsellor rooms, conference
rooms and training rooms.

Portage Atlantic provides a bilingual, long-term residential substance
abuse program for youths between the ages of 14 and 21. Over the past
13 years, more than 1,400 youths from New Brunswick and other Atlantic
provinces have been treated at the 52-bed Cassidy Lake treatment centre.

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, minister of state for small business and
tourism, said he is amazed by the improvements made at Portage
Atlantic in recent years, including new residences on the campus.

"What a difference each year has made," he said. "This is truly a
wonderful day for Portage."