DRUG USERS GET SECOND CHANCE

A local addictions counsellor is optimistic a new six-week program
will help young people kick crystal meth.

"Groups work," said Bob Hughes, a youth addictions counsellor with the
Phoenix Centre's Raven Program.

"A therapeutic peer group and community is an effective technique to
help young people stop using."

Meth Kickers is a program for 13- to 24-year-olds who want to quit
using crystal meth and cocaine. It differs from past programs by
screening urine for methamphetamine or cocaine; making parental (or a
trustworthy friend) participation mandatory; and takes a harm
reduction approach to alcohol and marijuana.

"We're looking for people who have really shown a desire to quit,"
Hughes said.

Participants in the program will be subjected to random urine
screening to "eliminate deceit" and to ensure they don't cheat. In
addition, the program has dropped a strict abstinence policy.

It will tolerate alcohol and marijuana use as long as it doesn't
supplant meth and coke use.

"If you're smoking one or two joints a week before, and you come into
the group and now you're smoking 15 a day to deal with the cravings -
it can't be a replacement."

Another key component to Meth Kickers is parental participation.

"Commonly what happens is that we'll have a parent or caregiver
saying: 'Fix our kid. Make him stop.' But we've realized that doesn't
work."

Instead, parents are asked to enter into a contract in which they will
attend group sessions once a week to discuss strategies to help their
youth.

"We need support from families, we need support from the community to
help them stay away from the drug."

Meth Kickers is broken into two phases.

Following a five-day mandatory detox, participants are put through a
two-week preparation group where they are monitored and supported to
ensure they have plenty of rest and nutritious food.

Upon completion, participants enter the four-week action group, in
which they meet twice a week and work to begin to replace the
addiction with employment, school and building new
relationships.

To acknowledge success, the program rewards the completion of each
phase with electronics, movie and dinner passes. The deadline for
referrals into the program is Nov. 8.

Applicants will be screened and Meth Kickers will get underway on Nov.
15.

For more information on the program contact the Phoenix Centre.