YOUTH DRUG ABUSERS GET HELP

Treatment for young crystal meth addicts will soon be more available
on central Vancouver Island.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority has committed the money to
create three detox beds and three stabilization beds in Nanaimo aimed
at youth.

A new day treatment program has also been funded.

Vancouver Island currently has one stabilization bed and four detox
beds, located in Victoria.

"This bodes well for Vancouver Island," said Adrian Maisonneuve, a
counsellor at ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment)
Youth and Family Addictions Services.

"The youth drug and alcohol system has been crying out for resources
and help," said Maisonneuve.

ADAPT has six full-time counsellors providing treatment and
therapeutic counselling on an out-patient basis to 800 to 1,000 youth
per year.

At present, youth in need of residential treatment or stabilization
have to travel off Island, most often to northern BC, where they have
last priority on wait lists.

"I'm so happy with the changes. We're looking at creating a
comprehensive and continuous system of care that's going to be much
more beneficial and successful," said Maisonneuve.

Detox involves a short-term stay (seven to 10 days) for the physical
withdrawal from drug addiction.

Stabilization involves providing recovering addicts a live-in care
home, an independent living situation from one to six months. It can
recreate a strong non-drug involved lifestyle in the home community
and allow residents to continue in school.

"It's a very important part of the continuum," Maisonneuve
said.

It is anticipated that the new programs will be up and running in the
next four to six months.