INITIATIVE HELPS ADDICTS

Edson and area youth encountering drug and alcohol problems will benefit
from a provincial initiative starting in June.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) will be opening youth
detoxification and residential treatment programs in both Edmonton and
Calgary, thanks to a $4.2 million provincial investment.

The money, part of a $74.3 million boost from the province, will help to
fill a void in Edson and area, said Edson AADAC addictions counsellor Rania
Page.

"It will because we don't have anything like this in our region right now."

The program, part of the Alberta Drug Strategy, will assist youth up to the
age of 18, added Page.

The two residential treatment centres, one in Edmonton, the other in
Calgary, will have room for four detox and eight residential beds. Under
the system, youth are either put into detox, where support is available on
a 24/7 basis or placed into an intensive residential day regimen. This
includes schooling, a recreation program and treatment, in-residence.

"It's free and confidential and we really encourage families to get
involved," said AADAC senior manager - youth services Marilyn Mitchell.

The Edmonton facility, housing youth detox and treatment is being developed
in cooperation with Child and Family Services and is based on a group care
model, while the Calgary program is being undertaken through public tender
and incorporates an innovative adventure therapy wilderness model.

Youth who have experienced problems with methamphetamine will also be
helped in this program.

"We are developing a crystal meth stream in our program," said Mitchell.

Calgary-Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney is the chairperson of AADAC.

He said the major funding provided by the government will assist to keep
families together.

"If left untreated, substance abuse exacts a huge toll on users, their
families and society. However, we know from AADACs more than 50 years of
experience that treatment of addiction can often be very successful,
particularly in the early stages, and amongst young people," said Rodney.

Also, AADAC will expand the existing Edmonton Bridges program to Calgary,
in cooperation with the Alberta Solicitor General. Bridges is a partnered
treatment program for young male offenders, sentenced to open custody who
have been assessed as having mental health and addictions problems.