MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADDICTION PROGRAMS REQUESTED

Langley Township council wants to know what Fraser Health Authority
is doing for drug- and alcohol- addicted youth.

Councillor Jordan Bateman told council last week he wants to know
what FHA does before he casts his vote on a motion by Councillor Kim
Richter, to share costs of a treatment program with Langley School District.

The program advocated by Richter was the subject of a presentation to
council March 27, from Marilyn Benning, of the Day Evening Weekend
Youth (DEWEY) program. Benning told council DEWEY was funded by Fraser Health.

She said the New Westminster-based Pacific Community Resources
managed the DEWEY program to assist youth aged 13 to 18 with
significant substance misuse problems. The program provides
structured individual and group non-residential treatment, geared to
enhancing youths' motivation to change their behaviour and reduce or
abstain from drug or alcohol use.

The DEWEY program offers 35 hours of core and optional programming
per week. Participants, who must have completed a comprehensive
assessment by an alcohol-and-drug service provider, and be in a
stable housing environment, are required to attend a minimum three
group sessions and one individual counselling appointment each week
for 10 to 12 weeks.

A pilot program was offered in Langley in the past.

Richter's motion was seconded by Councillor Mel Kositsky.

Bateman moved to defer, asking for a presentation from Fraser Health
about its efforts to help addicted youth.

Richter said there is some urgency, as she wants the program costs
included in the 2006 Township budget.

Bateman said he doesn't want to wait much longer either, but he wants
to hear what FHA is funding before committing local tax dollars.

The DEWEY program is offered in schools, after school hours.

The estimated cost of the program is $163,000.

The program's aims to help youth:

- - develop healthy lifestyles not reliant on drugs or alcohol;

- - develop skills like problem solving, decision making,
assertiveness, anger managment and conflict resolution;

- - enhance self-esteem and functioning within the family and community;

- - integrate treatment with other community services.

For information about Pacific Community Resources, see www.pcrs.ca.