'BETTY FORD-STYLE' FACILITY PROPOSED NEAR SMH

A regional detox facility and a Betty Ford-style addictions treatment clinic
may locate near Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH), The Leader has learned.

A combination of various facilities could turn the area into a major
addictions treatment centre, rivaled by few others in the Lower Mainland.

Coun. Dianne Watts, chair of Surrey's drug-crime task force, characterized
the recent developments as "strictly awesome."

A private hospital, designed after the famous Betty Ford clinic in the
United States, may soon be built and operated with private funding, possibly
within six months. Patients would be charged to use the facility, based on a
sliding scale of their ability to pay.

Details are sketchy, but the private hospital will have 40 beds and a
comprehensive medical support area where most addictions-related illnesses
can be assessed and treated, Watts said Friday.

Land acquisitions are incomplete, so Watts would not give an exact location,
but indicated the development will be near Surrey Memorial Hospital.

An announcement, she said, is expected in the next few weeks.

Maple Cottage Detox Centre, a Burnaby-based medical detoxification facility,
is also planning to move to the area.

Maple Cottage is a 22-bed alcohol and drug detox facility for adults, but is
also licensed to handle three patients between the ages of 14 and 18 years
old.

In addition to those beds, Maple Detox is looking to expand services by
offering a home withdrawal and management program, in which clients can
finish detoxification at home under the care of a nurse.

Service providers and addictions experts say a local detox is the key
missing link in Surrey's treatment of those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The detox will be in the same area as a facility being built by Phoenix
Recovery Society at 13686 94A Ave.

The three-storey building will offer 28 drug and alcohol recovery beds and
36 affordable housing units, with room for expanded services, which may
eventually include a medical clinic.

Watts said a "centre for excellence" is also planned for the area - a
facility that will provide resource services, assisting patients recovering
from addiction as they seek jobs, housing, lifestyles training and
counselling.

The news also comes as Surrey Memorial Hospital creates a separate chemical
dependency resource team.

The program consists of a clinical nurse specialist, a social worker with
expertise in addictions, and a physician with the specific mandate of
working with patients who are experiencing drug and alcohol addiction
problems.

The facilities will work in conjunction with each other to provide a
spectrum of addictions services in the area.

Watts said it's high time.

"Surrey has been lagging behind for years in regards to addictions
services," Watts said, adding that 90 per cent of Surrey's crime is
drug-related. "Working closely with the Fraser Health Authority has been a
godsend, we've developed an excellent working relationship with them."

Watts recently presented a drug strategy to her colleagues that focused on
prevention and education, specifically regarding children.

It also addressed treatment, which she says is squarely met with the coming
programs.

"Some may think that the recommendations are a pipe dream," Watts said.
"It's time to make it a reality."

Public information meetings will be held regarding the planned facilities,
and a formal public hearing will be necessary on the private hospital
project.