CUTS COULD BE COMING FOR ADDICTION SERVICES

Support services for people with drug and alcohol addictions could
soon be cut, a former addictions councillor warns.

However, it's too early to tell how addictions services will be
affected by this year's budget, said Karin Heimlich, spokesperson for
the Vancouver Island Health Authority's North Island operations.

"Nothing's been finalized yet so it really is premature to talk about
budget changes," she said.

However Carol-Ann Dwyer, who worked in addictions services for over 30
years, said she's heard from an inside source that the health
authority plans to cut addictions services by as much as $370,000 and
she's concerned about what will happen to people who need those services.

"They need help, they need assistance," she said. "If we don't address
those things they're going to end up in intensive care at the hospital
costing even more taxpayer dollars."

Dwyer said facilities in Campbell River are already limited. There are
only three dedicated beds in town for people trying to cure drug and
alcohol addictions - one for men, one for women and one for youth.

"That's completely inadequate," she said.

There are a few more supportive beds but nothing to help people with
the strongest addictions. Courtenay isn't much better, with two beds
for men and one for women.

Dwyer said the problem is because the health authority receives
inadequate funding from the provincial government. Funding is first
directed towards what are seen as more urgent needs, such as
surgeries, emergency rooms and other acute care services. Services
such as addiction services tend to be passed over when money is tight.

"Health care isn't just about addressing acute care systems," Dwyer
said, arguing that it's just as important to fund addictions programs
as it is to fund surgeries.

One program in particular Dwyer is worried about is the North Island
women's day treatment program, which provides intensive day treatment
for women with drug and alcohol addictions while allowing them to stay
at home. The program travels among North Island communities and the
outlying islands as an alternative to sending women to Vancouver for
treatment.

However, the head of the program could soon retire and the health
authority could take it over. Dwyer doesn't think the change will be
for the better.

Although Dwyer warns funding cuts are coming, the health authority
recently provided an additional $135,780 to expand crisis lines on
North and Central Vancouver Island.

The crisis lines now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
help people access mental health and addiction crisis services.

"Expanding this vital crisis response coverage means that Vancouver
Islanders who are experiencing a crisis in their lives, at any time,
can reach another caring human being who can help them and connect
them to professional services, if required," said Marilyn Rook, the
health authority's executive vice-president, last month. "It also
represents the important shift we are making in the area of mental
health and addictions from institutional to community services based
on clients' needs."