DETOX FINALLY FINDS A HOME

The Safe Harbour Society has potentially found a permanent site for a
detoxification centre.

However, the site at 5246 -53 Ave., behind A&B Sound won't be made
available until the fall of 2006.

"As of Jan. 1, all approvals have to be complete," said Kath Hoffman,
Safe Harbour's residential director. "We have to be ready to open a
temporary site at the same time."

The temporary site is proposed to be located on the top floor at 4809-48 Ave.

The Safe Harbour Society has secured funding from Alberta Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) as long as all approvals are given as of Jan. 1.

If so, they will receive a $750,000 annual grant for three years from
AADAC to operate the centre.

"If we don't open the temporary site, the funding will fall through
and we'll have no option but to fold," said Hoffman.

The temporary facility will include a 20-bed detox centre for people
intoxicated or high on drugs.

It will not include an overnight shelter.

The permanent site will include a 20-bed overnight mat program.

"When the shelter and the detox are combined, overnight shelter
guests will have the opportunity to go directly to detox," said
Hoffman. "A safe comfortable relationship with the staff will make
that transition easier."

The non-medical detox centre will serve adults who have chosen to
stop using drugs or alcohol, by providing them with a supportive drug
and alcohol free environment while their bodies detoxify and return
to a healthier state.

Hoffman said right now securing the temporary site is critical.

"Until we actually have the green light we're holding our breath and
so are the people who really want a detox centre in the city," she
said. "So there are a lot of people in the city right now holding
their breath."

The city's municipal planning commission will hear an application for
the detox centre's temporary site on Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m. in council chambers.