GVRD LOOKS AT ITALIAN PLAN FOR DRUG REHAB

Could It Work Here?

An innovative Italian drug treatment model with a remarkable success rate
is being eyed by regional officials for possible introduction to the Lower
Mainland.

San Patrignano is a residential drug rehabilitation centre in northern
Italy that began with one man, Vincenzo Muccioli, who welcomed a group of
young 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."

The services at San Patrignano are free of charge and without social,
political or religious discrimination. The only condition to enter the
program is a desire to face and overcome drug addiction.

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

Approximately 50 per cent of the funding necessary to run the centre comes
from internal economic activities such as agriculture and food production,
crafts, and breeding and training race horses and show dogs. The balance
comes from donations.

The centre boasts 50 job training sectors where guests learn the
professional skills necessary to return to society and 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.

Most of the 180 staff and volunteers working at the centre (half are former
addicts themselves) also live in the community.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about San Patrignano is its success rate.

After having left the community for at least three years, close to 73 per
cent of former guests had a house, a job, a family and were no longer
addicted to drugs.

Studies indicate many drug rehab programs in North America have success
rates of between 40 and 60 per cent.

While drug rehabilitation is not a Greater Vancouver Regional District
(GVRD) mandate, a report from regional officials who visited San Patrignano
suggests the model could work in the Lower Mainland.

GVRD deputy chief administrative officer Delia Laglagaron, who toured San
Patrignano this summer, said regional district officials are impressed with
the program and want to gauge whether there is interest from government and
non-government bodies to begin a similar program in Greater Vancouver.

Laglagaron said the regional district may look at providing land to study
the program and measure support from potential partners.