DESPITE ADDED FUNDS, B.C. FAR BEHIND ALBERTA IN TREATMENT BEDS FOR
METH ADDICTS, NDP SAYS

VANCOUVER (CP) - People who work with drug addicts welcomed the
provincial government's decision to inject another $8 million a year
into addiction services for youth, including $2 million aimed at the
growing problem of crystal meth.

But the Opposition, while pleased with the extra funding, criticized
the Liberals for taking a crisis-management approach and leaving B.C.
behind neighbouring Alberta when it comes to the number of treatment beds.

Health Minister George Abbott announced the money will be divided
among the regional health authorities, with the largest chunks going
to the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Valley health regions that serve
Greater Vancouver.

Most of the funds will go towards bolstering services for all kinds
of addictions, from alcohol to crack cocaine and heroin. But the
government is singling out crystal meth as a serious problem,
especially among young people.

"The dangers of crystal meth are well known and the cycle of
addiction can be devastating," he said.

The drug, mostly cooked up in clandestine labs using over-the-counter
cold medications and toxic chemicals, is cheap and provides a
long-lasting buzz that makes it a popular party drug. It's also
prevalent among homeless youth.

The money will be used to help intervene with occasional users,
provide additional detox beds, provide support for addicts' families
and research into the overall crystal meth problem. Abbott said the
number of treatment beds available for young addicts once the money
is in place will rise to about 158 beds provincewide from the current
106 out of 1,038 treatment beds over all.

NDP Leader Carole James said she's happy to see more dollars go into
treatment beds but renewed the party's criticism of the government's
strategy. "Alberta has just over 1,000 beds and we have 25 per cent
more population."