A POST-DETOX FACILITY IS ABOUT TO OPEN AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND
VOLUNTEERS STARTED SPECIALIZED TRAINING THIS WEEK.

A post-detox facility is about to open at the end of the month and
volunteers started specialized training this week.

The Chilliwack Chemical Addiction Management Project (CCAMP) House is a
community-driven effort that will offer services to chemical drug-addicted
clients after they have undergone medical detox, and before they enter
long-term treatment programs.

"CCAMP House will not be a detox centre," underlines director Sam Mohan.
"It's a stabilization bed facility, which offers post-detox services."

There's been some confusion surrounding the nature of the facility because
the mandate has changed since the original announcement was made last October.

In the initial phases of planning, the focus was on establishing a social
detox project, which is different from medical detox. Medical detox with
its on-site medical personnel might be required for a long-term practising
alcoholic, for example. Such an individual might require heavy sedation to
avoid suffering a seizure while detoxing. But with a social detox facility,
there is no medical staff and the emphasis is on providing a safe place,
some support and service referrals.

"Since the initial plans, we've learned that Fraser Health has indicated
there's a greater need for stabilization beds," she says. "Also, because a
10-bed medical detox will be opening this fall, there's less need for
social detox beds and more of a demand for stabilization beds." So the
CCAMP House plans were re-drawn in April.

One of the major differences is in the length of an addicted client's stay.
With social detox, the maximum stay is five to seven days. With
stabilization beds, clients will have up to 20 days.

"Now what will happen is when clients get out of detox and can't get into a
long-term program, they'll come to CCAMP House," says Ms. Mohan. "It will
give us more time to work on client needs and a better opportunity to plug
into the existing resources out there for them."

Drug and alcohol counselling and services, advocacy and legal assistance,
as well as basic life skills will be offered at CCAMP House.

"The clients get hooked up with a buddy and walked through the entire
process," she says. "Because that's the crux of it all, finding a way to
provide a real continuum of care."

About 22 volunteers have signed up so far to receive the free training
that's being offered Wednesday nights in the Wells Crossing building in Sardis.

"The training is absolutely required before working with any clients," Ms.
Mohan says.

The strong need for local detox beds was red-flagged as one of the top
priorities for downtown Chilliwack, in a report by the Social Issues
Planning Committee chaired by councillor Mel Folkman.

Partners involved in the pilot project included FV Connections, Chilliwack
Alcohol and Drug Services, and Youth Mental Health, she says. CCAMP House
is seeking people "who have the heart and desire to work with the incoming
clientele," says Ms. Mohan. Good communication skills, empathy, and a
non-judgmental attitude are required and drug/alcohol counselling
experience is considered an asset.

Anyone interested in becoming a CCAMP House volunteer is asked to call
CCAMP House site coordinator Faith Burr at 604-316-1013.