NEW METHADONE CLINIC HELPS ADDICTS KICK DRUG HABIT

Clinic plans to take up to 50 people in its beginning stages

Addictions Services Kenora officially opened the methadone clinic Apr. 4
with many representatives of the local medical community backing the new
project.

Addicts of oxycontons, heroin and users of other opiate drugs can apply to
participate in the program to help overcome their addictions.

The program isn't to just hand out methadone, said Dr. Hanna Hulsbosch, it
also helps in setting up users with counseling. This in turn will enable
them to work once again and become part of community life.

Prior to opening there was a large demand for this service and already 25
people are using the clinic. A waiting list has already formed and the
clinic plans to take up to 50 people in its beginning stages.

"The vast majority of the people coming through our doors are doing better,
much better, than when they first came in," Dr. Hulsbosch said.

Dr. Sean Moore, chief of staff at the hospital, and Dr. Hulsbosch are
running the program along with some counseling support at the Morning Star
Centre. They now have two examination rooms established to do check ups on
program patients and counseling rooms.

Hulsbosch said the program isn't in place to simply provide a quick fix for
users, but to help them rehabilitate.

"I think it's a service that's been so sorely needed in our community for a
long time," said Mark Balcaen, chief executive officer at the Lake of the
Woods District Hospital.

It took over two years to bring the program to light but Moore said it is
worth doing if only for the affect it has on families in the community.

"This is why we're here today because addiction affects families, it affects
everyone," he said. "I think it's a really big deal and a big part of
getting families back together."

The methadone clinic was even praised from afar by Dr. Robert Newman,
director of the International Centre for Advancement of Addiction Treatment.
He said he read about it via the Daily Miner and News website and
congratulated the team on bringing this type of program to a smaller
community in Ontario.

Mayor Dave Canfield, also on hand for the opening, said it's a great service
because it will help get people back into the community.

"My dream is that we won't need this kind of service in our community in the
future," said Canfield. He hopes the positive impact will deter most youth
from getting involved with drugs.

Some patients will stay on methadone for varying lengths of time, some
longer than others. But as the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Client
Handbook points out, the average user is on the the program for one to two
years.