DRUG AWARENESS COMMITTEE HOPEFUL FOR HELP

AADAC, Health Minister Talk Of Plans For Addiction Treatment Centres

A local drug awareness committee is elated to hear that plans are in the
works for building more youth addiction treatment centres in the province.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) submitted their
business plan to Health and Wellness this month identifying a need for more
addiction treatment centres.

"The Fort has certainly been a voice in saying there has been a lack of
service in that area," said Marilyn Mitchell, manager of AADAC youth
services. "We have staff in the Fort, and my counselors there have brought
that information back to me. And I have included that in our plans."

Health Minister Iris Evans told the Edmonton Sun that funding is in the
draft budget for up to four residential treatment centres, along with a
private members bill that includes secure provisions to detain teen addicts
against their will at such facilities.

Evans said the government will be working on the programs in the new year
after the budget is presented.

"We were happy to hear that," said Wendy Serink, chair of the Fort
Saskatchewan Drug Awareness Committee, and executive director with the Boys
and Girls Club. "That's been one of the areas that we've had much
discussion over."

Where the treatment centres will be located and whether they are secure or
not secure facilities is the next thing committee members are interested to
hear, notes Serink.

"Is it voluntarily or not?"

As it stands right now, a drug-addicted youth can get help by voluntarily
checking into an addiction facility.

But they can leave at any time, which is what happens when the addiction
overpowers the need to seek help said Serink, noting it's a problem parents
on the committee have voiced.

The only way an addict is forced to get help is if they are ordered to when
convicted of a criminal offence.

There's been discussion among the committee as to where they would like to
see treatment centres located said Serink.

"Maybe not necessarily within the community, but it should be certainly
accessible to the community," she said.

AADAC is in the preliminary planning stages for addiction treatment centres.

"I think, as in any planning process, once you know what resources you
have, then you would look at where those resources would best be fitted,"
said Mitchell.

"Certainly our stakeholders and communities have expressed concern."

"We are working with all our partners in all communities," she said. "The
more we can work together and collaborate the better the outcome for our kids."