MORE DETOX BEDS FOR YOUTH NEEDED

Kids from the Lethbridge area are being shipped to Calgary and
Edmonton for drug treatment, but even with 24 new beds to accommodate
the growing problems of addiction, more are still needed.

The growing need for youth drug treatment in southern Alberta and the
far northern part of the province has counsellors hoping new beds will
soon be opened outside of Calgary and Edmonton.

"(Lethbridge youth) are already being sent (to Calgary and Edmonton),"
said Susan Canning, manager of AADAC's Lethbridge area office.

"The facility in Calgary opened Aug. 28 and it's full already. I don't
think they anticipated that."

Because they are so new, it's not clear what kind of waiting lists
teens might face to get in for treatment. Of the 12 beds in each city,
four beds at each site are for detox and eight are residential.
They're three-month residential programs but some youth are leaving
before the three months has ended. As soon as one leaves, the bed is
filled, Canning said.

AADAC said the $4.2-million initiative will help youth recover from
addictions to everything from alcohol to crystal meth, with a special
treatment protocol for the latter. There's no charge for the programs

Detoxification for youth takes place at Crowsnest House in Edmonton
and all Hull Child and Family Services in Calgary. Those who remain in
the residential program after detox in Edmonton stay at Crowsnest
House, while youth in Calgary complete their residential treatment at
Enviros Wilderness School program, outside the city.

Edmonton's residential program is urban-based, while Calgary's is a
true wilderness adventure program. Through both programs, youth learn
life skills, participate in self-help groups, learn how to prevent
relapse and are given assistance to make the transition to
community-based programs.

Treatment also includes a family program, on-site school and
recreational activities.