ITALIAN MODEL EYED FOR DRUG REHAB SITE

An innovative Italian drug treatment model is being considered for the
Lower Mainland.

San Patrignano is a residential drug rehabilitation centre in northern
Italy that began when one man, Vincenzo Muccioli, welcomed a group of
drug addicts into his home in 1978.

Today, Muccioli's dream has grown into the largest drug rehab centre
in Europe, serving 1,800 'guests.'

Services at San Patrignano are free. The only condition to enter is a
desire to face and overcome addiction.

San Patrignano is a long-term social and education program focusing on
dignity, honesty, responsibility and respect. Some guests stay as long
as four years.

Half the funding to run the centre comes from internal activities such
as agriculture and food production, crafts, breeding and training race
horses and show dogs. The balance comes from donations. The centre
boasts 50 job-training sectors where guests learn skills to return to
a normal life.

San Patrignano has the on-site services necessary to run as a small
town of 2,000, including a kindergarten for the children of staff and
guests, a hospital and a small village where families live.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about San Patrignano is its success.
After having left the community for three years, 73 per cent of former
guests had a house, a job, a family and were no longer addicted to
drugs.

Studies of many drug rehab programs in North America show success
rates of 40 to 60 per cent.

While drug rehab is not a Greater Vancouver Regional District mandate,
a report from regional officials who visited San Patrignano suggests
the model could work here.

GVRD deputy chief administrative officer Delia Laglagaron, who toured
San Patrignano this summer, said regional district officials want to
gauge if there is interest to begin a similar program in Greater Vancouver.

Laglagaron said the regional district may look at providing land to
begin a similar program on a smaller scale.