MLA RESPONDS TO EDITORIAL ON AADAC'S WORK

Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser - Editor:

This letter is to take a different perspective on AADAC and the role
that AADAC plays in the Wetaskiwin community than presented in your
recent editorial.

During the past four years the AADAC budget has increased from
approximately $30 million to $60 million.

This has allowed AADAC, of which I was Chair, to expand its programs
and services in addiction, information, prevention and treatment
relative to alcohol, drugs, gambling and tobacco.

I will mention just a few program developments, particularly those
that apply directly to our constituency.

. In the past three years, AADAC opened two new area offices, one in
Wetaskiwin, to give a totally of 26 area offices province wide.

The Wetaskiwin office employs five people who reach out to the
community through outpatient counselling (serving almost 300 treatment
clients in 2002-03), collateral (family members) counselling, working
with children in schools, patients in hospitals and referrals from our
Justice and Child Welfare systems.

. AADAC developed and manages the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy
with a budget of approximately $9 million.

After one year this comprehensive strategy has resulted in an
estimated 44,000 fewer smokers, cigarette sales are down by 24 per
cent and youth smoking (15 - 19 years) has decreased from 24 per cent
to 19 per cent.

. AADAC is an important partner in several cross-ministry initiatives
set up in recent years including:

- - Support for children and youth initiative, including protection for
children involved in prostitution and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
prevention

- - Enhanced services for women

- - Aboriginal policy initiative

- - Health sustainability initiative

- - Methamphetamine partnership initiative, chaired by the Solicitor
General, to deal with emerging issues of meth laboratories and their
affects on communities and related issues. In Wetaskiwin, AADAC
partners with "community solutions" to address the crystal meth
problem locally.

AADAC has identified that a Detox/shelter for central Alberta is a
high priority need.

As funding becomes available, AADAC will be working with Regional
Health Authorities and communities to address this need. Currently,
detox services are provided in Edmonton for our community.

I am pleased to have received a new appointment from the Premier to
chair the Alberta Research Council and serve as vice-chair of the
Alberta Science and Research Authority.

This will bring me new challenges and opportunities to be of
assistance to another segment of our constituency and province.

LeRoy Johnson, MLA

Wetaskiwin-Camrose