YOUTH NOW HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE WITH ADDICTION

We are actually making progress with our programs designed for drug
addicted youth.

Two years ago in Yorkton a student who was discovered to have a drug
problem had the option of going to detox for around five days or not
coming back to school. After those five days of detox they entered
straight back to the community like nothing ever happened.

In my opinion they haven't even detoxed yet. It takes more like two
weeks to detox and the resin from Marihuana attaches itself to fatty
cells in the brain and can stay in the body for months.

A five day detox without a proper after care plan is futile. The only
thing we've created is a youth who wants his or her drug of choice
even more.

With the creation of an out patient program two years ago through
addiction services that's changed.

Now an adolescent goes to detox for three to five days followed by a
twenty eight day in-patient treatment program.

Upon completion or graduation of that program they move back into the
day patient program for four days a week, or five weeks.

The treatment doesn't end here, after a day patient program every
Monday and Wednesday there is a recovery group for youth from four to
five, plus on the Wednesday evenings kids may attend the women's
recovery group. There is also individual sessions offered as well.

In the fall, addiction services will start a music program for those
who aren't interested in sports. They are also organizing various
sports activities for those who are interested in sports.

One of the women from the Wednesday women's group does crochet with
the adolescents.

The Sunrise Health Region is getting $450,000 from the province for
its drug strategy.

The provincial funding will allow for the hiring of a prevention
co-ordinator, for the establishment of a needle exchange program and
outreach services for intravenous drug users as well as the
development of a program for youth. Two outreach workers will also be
hired for a family treatment program.

Premier Lorne Calvert announced his Project Hope -- a new three-year
plan to prevent and treat substance abuse. The government committed
$10 million of new annual funding for the project. Here in Yorkton
these funds from the hope project will translate into the music
program including the purchasing of two guitars, a base, drums and
some sound equipment. It would be for all youth, a community jam.

These funds will also translate into the development of a family
treatment program which I think is the most vital addition to their
program.

This program will help re-establish parental support and help build or
re-build communication in the family which will help tremendously with
the youths recovery and re-integration back into the community.

We sure have come a long way in the treatment of our drug addicted
youth. Do we have some area to grow and learn? Sure, but after
becoming aware of our programs for our drug addicted youth in Yorkton
now I feel our youth has a fighting chance.