ADDICTION RATE TOO HIGH, DETOX CENTRE BACKERS SAY

Central Alberta desperately needs a detox centre to reduce the high number
of addiction problems in the area, the project manager said on Wednesday.

The David Thompson Health Region is plagued by more addictions than the rest
of Alberta, based on numerous indicators, said Jim Taylor, project
development manager for the Safe Harbour Society.

The Safe Harbour Society proposes to open a detoxification centre and
emergency shelter for intoxicated people in a vacant building at 5409 Gaetz
Ave.

In a speech to the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Taylor listed 12
indicators, contained in a 2003 AADAC report, that suggest addictions are
higher in the David Thompson Health Region.

The number of impaired driving cases was 35 per cent higher than the
provincial average in the region, which includes Red Deer and the central
area.

There were 73 per cent more cases of refusing to provide a breath sample.
Disturbing the peace and liquor violations were 120 per cent higher, while
offences related to cannabis and other illegal drugs were 49 per cent
higher.

The number of triplicate drug prescriptions, often for narcotics, was 18 per
cent higher and the highest in Alberta.

"The problems of addiction, both to drugs and alcohol, are great," said
Taylor.

"We have a moral obligation. People with drug or alcohol addictions can be
restored to health and productively. They are not writeoffs."

The number of admissions to Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission or
AADAC-funded agencies in Central Alberta is 30 per cent lower than the
provincial average because of lack of programs, said Taylor.

For the past two years, the Safe Harbour Society has transported addicts to
Edmonton and Calgary centres. In the time it takes to make arrangements,
addicts often change their minds about seeking treatment.

AADAC approved annual funding of $750,000 to open a detox centre and shelter
last April. The first chosen location in the Scott Block, at 4816 Gaetz
Ave., was dropped after opposition from business owners.

But the new location has homes and two apartment blocks near the back,
leading some to fear for the safety of children.

"There are kids walking to school in the morning and I'm concerned about
kids in that type of environment," said Dave Richter, who owns Paramount
Insurance near the site.

Taylor said public safety shouldn't be diminished because the centre will
include 24-hour supervision and increased lighting.

"I guess there is no perfect location. The shelter program needs to be
accessible to the downtown because these people are homeless and don't have
transportation," said Taylor.

Some audience members noted the emergency shelter will draw people who are
drunk or on drugs and they may hang around outside.

"Do you lock up your child and say you can't play in your backyard anymore?"
asked Michael Dawe, who co-owns a home near the location.

"If a truck gets broken into, you can fix it. But if something happens to a
child, you can't fix it."

Audience members suggested locating the facility in old Michener Centre
buildings or busing people to vacant military buildings in Springbrook.

Taylor said addicts and homeless people often lack the organizational skills
to catch buses at specific times and they are often ill prepared and lack
adequate clothes to walk to Michener Centre.

The 20-bed detox centre would allow people to stay as long as a week to
recover for their addiction and would connect them to Alcoholics Anonymous
and other support groups.

The emergency shelter would include mats for 20 people to sleep on. Both the
centre and shelter must be completed as one project, said Taylor. The idea
is that some people with addictions would use the shelter and eventually
come over to the detox centre.