QUESNEL ADDICTION SERVICES OFFERS ADDICTS A HELPING HAND

During Addictions Awareness Week, November 17 to 23, it is not only
important to recognize what addictions are and how they affect both the
addict and their family and friends, but it is also important to publicize
some of the options available when an addict wants to quit.

Quesnel Addiction Services (QAS) operates from the old wing of G.R. Baker
Hospital. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the counsellors can often
be found working far past those perimeters.

Funded by the Northern Health Authority and governed by a board of
directors, the daily activities of QAS are held in the palms of Bea
Randall's hands.

Officially designated as the director, Randall still carries on active
counselling, because that is where her heart is.

Reaching out a welcoming hand to every person who comes through their
doors, Randall and her staff of dedicated counsellors and office staff
offer clients a commodity often missing from their lives.

"We offer hope," she said. "Often people feel there is no hope. But
regardless of the addiction, drugs, alcohol, gambling or co-dependance,
there is always hope."

Counsellors rotate the responsibility of seeing new clients and doing the
intake and screening. After consultation with the counselling staff, an
appointment is booked with the appropriate counsellor and treatment steps
are taken.

Each client is required to attend QAS education/orientation sessions before
starting one to one counselling, but exceptions are made for crisis situations.

Mike Williams primarily handles counselling for gambling addictions, while
Brian Wilson handles other adult clients.

Services to youth are a big part of QAS with Andrea Thony offering
in-office counselling and outreach work at the Helen Dixon Comprehensive
Youth Centre.

The youth of Quesnel often have very different needs than adults and one of
the aims of QAS programs for youth, is to help motivate change. Change that
could affect the rest of their lives.

As the front line staff, office manager Sharon Jenkins and office assistant
Evelyn Armstrong are often the first faces the clients see, but their open,
warm, welcoming approach help build trust right from the start.

The staff at QAS are very supportive of one another, and given the nature
of their business, often rely on each other to debrief. "We must be
non-judgemental and open-minded with out clients," Randall said. "And a
great sense of humour helps get through the rough patches."

Randall and her staff would like to try to help everyone, but she said the
key ingredient was the client has to want to help themselves. If you think
these services might be right for you call 992-XXXX.