SALVATION ARMY TO OPEN DETOX

The Salvation Army isn't walking away from Chilliwack's drug and
alcohol addicts.

Despite not renewing its contract with the Fraser Health Authority to
continue facilitating Chilliwack's Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS),
the Salvation Army is stepping up its fight to improve the lives of
Chilliwack's addicts.

According to Salvation Army public relations director John Murray, the
not-for-profit group hopes to have a new detox centre up and running
by June. The facility will provide in-house services for addicts who
stay at the centre in an attempt to kick their habits.

"It's not like it would be a loss of service; it would be an
expansion," he said.

Murray said the decision to walk away from CADS wasn't easy, but a new
facilitator should be chosen in the coming weeks, allowing the
outpatient program to continue indefinitely. The Salvation Army will
continue to run CADS until its contract expires March 31-at which
point the counselling clinic will shut its doors and all six employees
will be laid off.

Last week, FHA's addiction leader Sherry Mumford, said CADS's slightly
revamped contract is almost ready for tender, and a new operator could
be in place relatively soon.

"People are not being left to hang out to dry at all_If people can
hang in there for four weeks or so we'll have another clinic up and
running," she said. "We are all working our butts off to get this
clinic up and running again for our clientele."

Mumford said the new contract shouldn't change much, and will continue
to include services aimed at getting people to quit abusing alcohol,
cocaine, marijuana, crystal meth, heroin and other substances.

Murray said 30 people are already working for Chilliwack's Salvation
Army programs-which includes a 10-bed homeless shelter, as well as
food and clothing services. He feels Chilliwack's detox should
complement the new CADS.

"Certainly any time as an organization you can offer more help, that's
fabulous," he said.

"We want a place that helps people who are rebuilding their lives, and
it's not just a stopgap opportunity." Mayor Clint Hames was
disappointed to learn Chilliwack needs the detox, but he thinks it's
important to face the city's challenges head-on. Combined with drug
and alcohol education programs, and police and humanitarian services
which are already in place, Hames said the detox centre should
complete Chilliwack's list of addiction services. "It's absolutely
necessary. It's the one piece of the puzzle that's still missing."