POSITIVE DISCOURSE

Lacombe Globe -- A town hall meeting in Tees on Jan. 12 regarding a
proposed drug and alcohol treatment centre proved two things. The
first was that most folks agree treating addiction is a laudable
cause that's greatly needed in Central Alberta. It also proved that
preconceptions about addiction can be powerful, but not
insurmountable, obstacles to overcome.

The idea, to open a privately run 20-bed treatment centre for men at
the old Camp Tees minimum-security prison facility, naturally caught
the attention of neighbours and Tees residents.

Fear of the unknown is natural; the town hall meeting did a good job
of dispelling many fears and misconceptions. The 56 residents who
attended asked plenty of questions to the Central Alberta Recovery
Center's stakeholders.

Refreshingly, the questions were well thought out and free of
hostility. These folks wanted to know the facts and how a centre
would affect them. Fortunately they were rewarded with open, honest answers.

The question, why Tees was met with the answer, why not a rural area
like Tees? As co-investor Karen Cretney pointed out, most people who
go for treatment have hit rock bottom, either personally,
professionally or both, and they don't want to be seen. No one wants
to be known as an addict.

There's a stigma surrounding addiction that persists in our society.
Many people see past the person and straight to the consequences--the
drunk, the trip, the desire to stay high at all costs, the crime.
Those are valid concerns, but at the root of every addict is a person
who's suffering. When they get to the point where they want--need
help to heal--somewhere arms need to be open.

The 'not in my backyard' mentality isn't new, just ask the folks in
downtown Red Deer who opposed a detox centre. Detox and treatment
centres accomplish two different goals, but they're the same in many
peoples' eyes.

Addicts aren't weak in character, they have a disease and it's
largely treatable. The clients the treatment centre hopes to attract
are the working man. In simple words, they're people like us. These
are family men, who're hoping to live again. Their families hope for
the same thing.

The most powerful argument for the treatment centre came from the
centre's stakeholders, who each told personal stories of addiction,
loss and a new hope. Their stories helped change the air in the Tees
Community Hall from cautious, to bordering on enthusiastic support.

Whether a treatment centre will open its doors at Camp Tees remains
to be seen. Lacombe County councillors will have to weigh the pros,
cons and every concern in between. Considering their track record for
open dialogue, the folks behind the Central Alberta Recovery Center
will have a fair shot. That's all they can ask for--a chance to help.