AADAC OPENS SATELLITE OFFICE

Airdrie Echo - Those battling substance abuse problems no longer have
to commute to Calgary or Cochrane to find the help they need.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) opened a
satellite office in Airdrie on Monday and from it, a full-time
counsellor will provide addiction information, prevention and
treatment services - including assessment, referral and counselling -
to residents of Airdrie and surrounding communities.

Having lobbied for a local AADAC office for the past two years, North
Rocky View Community Resource Centre coordinator Rubyann Vitalos said
the announcement is a welcome one.

"It will definitely be beneficial," Vitalos said. "It's one of the
needs we identified. It will fill a gap for Airdrie and for the
surrounding area."

Airdrie-Rocky View MLA Carol Haley agreed.

"This is a growth area of the province and it is not immune to
problems associated with alcohol and other drugs, as well as
gambling," Haley said. "I am delighted we could respond so quickly to
the requests made by various groups in my community."

"With the counsellor right here in Airdrie, it will make it much
easier, especially for young people, to get help without having to
commute to Calgary," Haley added.

According to AADAC, investment in the treatment of addictions can be
recovered in one to three years by reducing or eliminating
addiction-related costs in health care, the workplace, social services
and the justice system.

The office will be temporarily located at Child and Family Services,
209 Centre Avenue.