PANEL RELATES ADDICTION ISSUES AT HOSPITAL AUXILIARIES CONFERENCE

Alcohol remains the drug of choice for the majority of people with addiction
problems, and accounts for about 80 per cent of treatments, locally. People
also become addicted to prescription and over the counter medications,
pharmaceuticals, street drugs and solvents. However, certain behaviours,
such as gambling and sex, can also become addictive.

The nature of addiction, the variety of substances or behaviours that people
become addicted to, community treatment programs and outpatient services
were among the topics at the Addiction Problems Today panel presentation at
the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario Region 12 East and Region 12
West spring conference in Kenora, April 17. The conference was attended by
approximately 80 members from the two regions representing community
hospital auxiliaries from Kenora to Manitouwadge.

"There's a difference between addiction and substance abuse," explained Dr.
Sherry Reed-Walkiewicz, a physician with the Department of Family
Medicine/Psychiatry, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. "With
addiction, the main difference is that people will experience tolerance and
withdrawal when that substance is discontinued. Whereas with substance abuse
they may not necessarily have tolerance or withdrawal but in both cases
there are negative consequences on relationships, goals, family, physical
and emotional health and finances."

Elder addictions are also a growing concern, Dr. Reed-Walkiewicz related.
She noted the elderly only account for 11 per cent of the population but 30
per cent of prescription drug sales, including sedatives, stimulants and
analgesics for legitimate health reasons. "Abuse occurs when there's
deviation from prescribed recommendations," she said.

The babyboom generation is also a particularly vulnerable group to future
addictions. Dr. Reed-Walkiewicz referred to statistics which indicate that
in 1979 approximately 27 per cent of that generational cohort used illicit
drugs and five per cent were still using in 2001.

People who have had addictions in the past are more vulnerable to future
addictions.

"The pleasure centres in the brain don't forget even when the rest of the
brain does," she said.

While there may not be a cure for addiction, there is treatment available
for people in need.

In Kenora, treatment for addictions is provided through Addiction Services
Kenora and the Morning Star Centre, a community program funded by the
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

Patti Dryden-Holmstrom explained the 40-bed non-medical facility provides
treatment for men and women 16 years and older undergoing acute
detoxification or withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs.

She noted the facility generally operates at 100 per cent occupancy with an
average age in the late 40s.

Recently, there's also been a significant increase in people seeking help
for opiates, especially in the pill form of oxycontons as well as crack
cocaine and crystal meth.

"Street drugs are changing rapidly and it's difficult to keep up with the
trends," she said. "What makes crystal meth so dangerous is that it's
produced in home labs so there's no quality assurance and they don't know
what they're getting."

Addiction Services Kenora counsellor Irene Bergman agreed. She said that in
addition to the huge financial cost, coke and crack addiction is a concern
due to the low rate of recovery among addicts.

"Once they're addicted it's so hard to get out of it," Bergman said. "It has
a significant impact on families."

Dryden-Holmstrom regards the impending closure of the Norman Hotel to make
way for construction of a condominium complex as another critical issue as
many clients will be homeless.

"The high cost of accommodation in Kenora makes it difficult to find another
place to live," she said. "These are individuals with limited resources and
housing options. The loss of the hotel is a tragedy to them."