NEW DEAL WILL OFFER ADDICTS TREATMENT

Low-income, difficult-to-treat drug addicts and alcoholics get access
to longer term treatment in Nanaimo this fall under a service
agreement announced today.

Nanaimo Regional John Howard Society will take over treatment of
recovering addicts at Surfside Recovery House on Rosstown Road.

Nanaimo and District Surfside Society approached John Howard after
seeing the results of the highly successful Guthrie Therapeutic
Community program it has operated at Nanaimo Correctional Centre since
2007.

Under the new Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community partnership,
treatment duration will more than double to three months from 42 days,
allowing addicts more time in recovery to develop skills to cope with
sobriety. The number of beds, 20, remains unchanged at Surfside.

Despite impressive early results from its therapeutic community
program, John Howard was having difficulty finding a location to
continue treatment once addicts left jail into the community. A
five-bed facility operating in central Nanaimo helps, but it is not
enough.

"Surfside Society came to us and said they like the model of care and
would be interest in doing a program on their site," said France
Tellier, John Howard Society director of programs. "It's a good news
story."

Surfside, which marked 26 years of operation in March, helps
low-income male patients who cannot afford treatment. It follows a
traditional 12-step program but its success has been hampered by
funding, which limits treatment to 42 days.

The therapeutic model takes into account the whole health of the
individual, not just the addiction. Research points to a need for
longer, broader treatment for up to a year to reduce the likelihood an
addict will slip.

"We're hoping this new model will help these gentlemen get on the road
to recovery and they'll have a better life when they get through,"
said Leslee Banks, Surfside Society board chairwoman.

The society is looking for donations to cover $50,000 in improvements
needed for the aging building and to cover operational costs.

To help, call 250-714-4359 or visit www.surfsiderecovery.com .The new
program starts Oct. 1.