DRUG ADDICTION - REVIEW BRINGS NEW PROGRAM

The first-ever evaluation of programs for drug- addicted teens in the
Fraser Health Authority will pilot a new day-treatment program in Langley.

Teens addicted to drugs in Langley will benefit directly from a
brand-new evaluation program launched by the Fraser Health Authority.

The FHA has embarked on a seven-month project to evaluate teen drug
treatment programs throughout the Authority.

"It's not only the first study of its kind in the [FHA], it's the
first study of its kind in B.C.," said Sherry Mumford, addictions
leader for the FHA. "We expect to have 300 youth go through this project."

Part of that evaluation is the introduction of an intensive
day-treatment program into Langley. The Day, Evening, Weekend for
Youth (DEWY) program will run as a pilot.

The future of the program will be determined after the
evaluation.

The 12-week, 35-hour per week program will be available to youth from
the health authority, aged 13 to 18, who are addicted to any substance.

Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) will deliver the program in
Langley while Langley Family Services will operate as a central
referral source. PCRS already runs the DEWY program in New
Westminster. It is hoped the Langley pilot will be running by
November, said PCRS's Tom Hetherington, who noted that details are
still being worked out.

Once the pilot is complete, it will be reviewed by external
evaluators, along with the other initiatives being introduced as part
of the review.

DEWY will also be introduced in Chilliwack as a pilot. As well, six
more residential treatment beds for teens are being set up in the Authority.

"All the communities in Fraser Health will benefit," Mumford
said.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate three different types of
addiction treatment for teens, Mumford explained: residential,
intensive day treatment, and outpatient/outreach.

Participants will also have a follow-up three months after they finish
their treatment programs.

The study's findings will be used to plan the approach the FHA takes
towards youth addictions, Mumford said: "It's about what we're going
to offer in the future. It's extremely important. Other health
authorities can benefit from the study."

Mumford estimated the cost of the seven-month program will be a "few
$100,000." Almost all of that money will go straight to the provision
of services, she said.