TREATMENT OPTIONS UP FOR DEBATE

The Oceanside Community Crystal Meth Task Force wants to give people a
Vision of Hope - which is why they've titled their developing
treatment plan just that

"The idea here is to create a community response to this problem, to
this issue," says chair of the task force's treatment committee, Al
MacDonald

A community response needs the help of others in the area, he
explains, which is why they're hosting a public forum Oct, 4 at 6 p.m.
in the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre

"We want to engage the community to look at this and look at it in a
variety of different ways," says MacDonald

While professionals and community groups are welcomed in that
invitation, MacDonald adds it's important that people affected by the
use of crystal meth get involved as well

It's important that people using the drug, along with their families
and friends get involved, says MacDonald, so that, "we're not doing
something to them, we want to work with them.

MacDonald's tentative outline for developing a treatment plan
considers four areas of discussion. The first focuses on engaging
those involved with the drug

"We need to first look at how we're meeting them ... This is a
non-judgmental work that we're doing here," he says

The second area focuses on developing 'safe harbours' for those people
- - whether it's a return to their families, voluntary foster care, or
supported recovery beds. It's important that those impacted are given
some stability again, and those people providing stability are given
the support they need

The third looks at withdrawal management and detox. The trick here, he
says, is recognizing that treatment is a very individual process - no
one method is best for everyone

The fourth looks at residential treatment - what is available, and
what is needed

Tuesday's meeting will be an opportunity for open discussion, with
information and the opportunity to work on a tangible action plan,
says MacDonald

"There's lots of room for people to come out and express their
feelings on this," he says.