DETOX CENTRE FUNDED

Red Deer is getting its own 20-bed detox centre so people with addictions
won't have to travel to Edmonton or Calgary.

Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission on Thursday approved a $750,000 a
year proposal from Red Deer's Safe Harbour Society.

"This news is beyond good. It's fantastic," said society chair Stacey
Carmichael after the funding announcement at the Provincial Building in Red
Deer.

Currently Safe Harbour sends about one person a week to detox centres in
Calgary or Edmonton.

And the time it takes to arrange transportation is sometimes too long for
someone who is trying to take the first step to break free of addiction,
she said.

The Red Deer facility will include a 20-bed shelter.

Safe Harbour has been lobbying for a detox since 2002. On Thursday, people
acknowledged the work of Phil Rauch, who died in February, as instrumental
in making the project a reality.

"Phil was a very strong proponent and he drove this thing hard," said Red
Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski.

Rauch was a Safe Harbour Society representative and executive director of
the Central Alberta AIDS Network.

Safe Harbour hopes to have the detox/shelter running in six months to a year.

"We've identified several possible locations and we'll be consulting the
community," Carmichael said.

About 20 people will be hired to staff the 24-hour facility.

Marlene Graham, MLA for Calgary-Lougheed and AADAC board chair, said Safe
Harbour submitted a compelling application and Red Deer is a central
location between Edmonton and Calgary.

Craig Staniforth, area supervisor for AADAC office in Red Deer, said it's
been known for a while that Red Deer was big enough for its own detox.

"I think this is another important component in the service delivery
continuum in Red Deer. It was a real niche that wasn't being addressed,"
Staniforth said.

Trying to beak an addiction alone can be extremely dangerous.

People run the risk of stroke, heart attack and seizures as their bodies
adjust to operating without alcohol or drugs. It's also important for
people to hear positive feedback while they struggle free of addiction,
Staniforth said.

"Many people don't quit without that encouragement and safety in the
beginning."

The detox beds will serve people in Red Deer and surrounding communities,
with some clients expected to migrate from the on-site shelter.

Safe Harbour is part of the regional consortium of organizations concerned
about addiction and Carmichael said she hopes the Red Deer centre is just
the first step to developing a plan to assist communities like Ponoka and
Wetaskiwin.