MLA ENVISIONS DRUG TREATMENT RETREAT

An MLA known for tackling aggressive panhandling and bullying in
schools says he has found a solution to drug addiction far from the
high-rises of his West End riding.

Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt says he's had a favourable
reception so far to his proposal for "New Hope," a proposed addiction
treatment retreat on a former Canadian Forces radar station 30 km
southwest of Prince George.

That includes the nearest city, which has more than its share of drug
and alcohol problems as the regional health centre for the entire
north of the province.

"It's had some preliminary support, certainly the three MLAs, Shirley
Bond, John Rustad and Pat Bell, but also Mayor Colin Kinsley," Mayencourt said.

"We had a great meeting a few weeks back, and one of the outcomes of
that meeting was that we would set up a round table in Prince George,
that would accommodate the public."

The New Hope approach is based on a successful addiction treatment
community in San Patrignano, Italy, which gives participants a home,
work and treatment for up to five years.

Mayencourt says he's been told by addiction specialists that between
two and three years is optimum.

The current B.C. program consists of three to 10 days of detox,
followed by a 28-day program.

Mayencourt says it's not working, with 85 per cent of participants
back "drinking or drugging" within 30 days, and nowhere is the
failure more evident than places like Prince Rupert or Terrace, where
there are no detox facilities.

"People have to travel to Prince George just for the detox, and
sometimes when they're on the bus there, they get off the bus,
because they changed their mind," he said.

While some of his fellow B.C. Liberal MLAs support the idea, he has
to prove it is better before it can gain official government support.

Mayencourt imagines having one long-term retreat for each health
region, plus specialty locations such as for aboriginal people,
mothers with children or meth-addicted youth.

The Italian program has a main community of 2,200 people, plus two
smaller ones, one specializing in agriculture and the other building
custom racing bicycles.

B.C. versions would be adapted to their local environments.

He hopes to raise $150,000 from foundations and businesses to get the
northern pilot project through its first year. After that, he will
look for sponsors to fund each individual for $13-15,000 a year, an
investment to take one source of crime and disruption off the streets.

The B.C. government is also developing a pilot project for a
community court in Vancouver, to deal with addicted chronic offenders
by sentencing them to treatment programs. Mayencourt said he supports
that approach, but the New Hope community model will only work with
people who make a voluntary commitment.