AADAC AT HOME IN AIRDRIE HELP IS NOW MORE READILY AT
HAND

Airdrie Echo -- For more than 50 years, AADAC (Alberta Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Commission) has offered supportive and non-judgmental
information, prevention and treatment services to help Albertans
address issues with alcohol, drugs and gambling.

Now, AADAC's services will be available to Airdrie and area residents
in their own community on a full-time basis. Last week, AADAC and
community representatives celebrated the opening of a satellite office
in Airdrie, expanding on the previous part-time service of one day
every two weeks. While AADAC's programs have been and continue to be
available in Calgary, the new office -- which will be open 8:15 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. each weekday -- represents greater accessibility, a step
in the right direction in reaching out to the community. "We do
assessment for people for alcohol and drug problems; we also do
individual, couples and family counselling," Laurelle Condon,
Airdrie's new full-time AADAC counsellor, said, adding that youth
services are also a top priority.

For community members looking for help and support, be it for
themselves or for a loved one, Condon is there to listen and offer
assistance.

"It has a lot to do with their readiness to address the issues," she
said. "My job is just to keep them moving along in the process." Along
with services for individuals, family counselling and group
initiatives are fundamental aspects of AADAC's service.

"We appreciate the impact that drug, alcohol and gambling issues can
have on families," said Jim Arnett, who supervises the AADAC satellite
offices in the Calgary region.

When dealing with drug, alcohol and gambling issues, one key to
success is the establishment of trust. AADAC counsellors do not judge,
but rather offer encouragement and support, with confidentiality being
a cornerstone of success. As well, there are no demands placed on
those who walk through AADAC's door.

"Clients are very autonomous -- they walk in, they walk out," Arnett
said.

For Condon -- who has lived and raised her children in Airdrie -- the
opportunity to work within the community is exciting. She looks
forward to further establishing relationships with other service
providers, such as with local schools, Airdrie Mental Health, Alberta
Justice, Airdrie Family Services, the Airdrie Boys and Girls Club,
Calgary Health Region and others.

"We like to collaborate with other community agencies," she said. "I
already feel really connected to the other service providers." That
well-established network of service providers is essential in terms of
community health.

"That does go a long way to helping people," Condon
said.

And while she is only one person, Condon represents all of what AADAC
and its community partners have to offer.

"I'm a good starting point," she said. "I am the initial
piece."

Arnett agreed.

"She is the doorway to really a lot of other resources," he
said.

For now, Condon is in the process of assessing the situation in order
to best meet the needs of Airdrie and area residents. "We're just
trying to figure out what the community wants," she said.

And her door is open.

"I take all my sessions by appointment right now ... I'm usually able
to see people immediately, at this point," she said.

The Airdrie AADAC office is located at 100, 209 Centre Ave. West and
may be reached at 912-3306.