DETOX LIFELINE HITS SNAG

Cobbling A Deal That Revives The Okanagan's Only Youth Detox Centre
Is A Bigger Challenge Than First Thought

Soon after the Iridian Centre shut its doors in Kelowna on June 30,
it sounded like the provincial and federal governments would come to its rescue

An adviser to Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach said the
ministry was looking "very positively" at giving bridge funding to
the facility so the province would have time to find permanent
financing, said Vern Nielsen, who ran for the federal Liberals in
Kelowna-Lake Country last year

But the summer break is proving to be an obstacle. Together with
Kelowna MLA Sindi Hawkins, Nielsen has been working the phones and
sending e-mails in an effort to secure funding so the centre can
reopen. Its annual operating budget was $386,000 when it closed

Since 2003, the five-bed facility has helped 155 young people kick
their addictions. A former patient warned dozens of teens will turn
to prostitution to fund their drug habits this summer if the Cadder
Avenue centre shuts down permanently. But forging an agreement
between the two levels of government is a bit of a catch-22, Nielsen
said. Ottawa needs a commitment from the province that it will
provide sustainable funding, and the province needs a promise that
the feds will provide bridge funding

"Neither party is in the house sitting and can make things happen,"
Nielsen said. "It's hard to get things done."