METHADONE CLINIC'S SUCCUSS RATE HIGH

The numbers show a "very high success rate" for people who stay in the
Central Alberta Methadone Program.

Bill Leslie, social worker for the program, says his research shows 88 per
cent of people who stay in the program for more than three months are
opiate-free.

That means they have been weaned off the opiate with methadone.

"When people are on a methadone program they don't have to steal or rob to
feed their drug habit," he explains. "People on morphine or opiates are
associated with soft crime.

"People on stimulants commit violent crimes," he said in reply to
allegations Red Deer's increase in crime is due to addicts coming to Red
Deer for help.

Leslie says an influx of crack cocaine is evident in Red Deer and many other
communities.

"There has been an awful increase in crack cocaine and not just in Red
Deer," he said.

Of about 300 people who see one of the three doctors associated with the
program, receive methadone and counselling, half are from Red Deer and half
are from outside the city, he said.

"People move on," Leslie said. "We've had a lot leave."

Sixty per cent of the clients are male and 40 per cent are female.

Whites make up 88 per cent of clients with 12 per cent aboriginal, the
research shows.

Leslie says of clients under 20 years of age, 22 per cent are male and 20
per cent are female.

Under 30 years of age, 32 per cent are male and 27 per cent are female.

Under 40 years of age, four per cent are male and eight per cent are female.

The Central Alberta Methadone Program opened at 4611 50 Ave. in November
2002.