SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM PLANNED FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS

An Addiction Treatment Centre For Young Offenders Is Being Considered For
Maple Ridge.

WJS Stelmaschuk and Associates has submitted a bid to the provincial
government to open a nine-bed residential treatment facility aimed to help
young male offenders kick their addictions to drugs and alcohol and get
their life back on track.

WJS was among a number of companies responding to a request for proposals
issued by the provincial Ministry for Children and Family Development that
wrapped up Thursday. The decision on who wins the contract has not yet been
made.

WJS president Bill Stelmaschuk said the project is a good fit with the 80
social service and justice programs his company delivers in four provinces
across Canada.

Young offenders between ages 12 to 18 would be referred to the treatment
program through the justice system. The aim is to help the teenage boys
deal with their addictions and other issues to reduce the chances they will
commit another crime.

Stelmaschuk said that while his proposal incorporates substance abuse
treatment, it takes a wholistic approach to healing the whole individual.
Life skills, counselling and links to community resources, education and a
positive support network are integral to the recovery process, he said. The
youths stay in the program for as long as it takes for them to gain the
resilience and skills to resist negative influences, Stelmaschuk said.

The concept of a youth treatment centre was supported by Maple Ridge
council Tuesday night.

Coun. Craig Speirs said that without such facilities for youth, "we stand a
chance to lose them forever."

Coun. Candace Gordon pointed out that the recent Filling the Gaps youth
needs assessment pointed out the need for such a facility.

Coun. Kathy Morse said she would like to see similar services for teenage
girls as well.

Stelmaschuk agreed that there is a huge need for programs to help teens of
both genders, of all socio-economic backgrounds, both in and out of the
justice system.

Society's pill-popping nature and the pressure to fit in can influence
today's youths to get involved in not only alcohol or drugs, he said, but
substances such as diet pills and prescription medication.

"There's very limited resources available in B.C. or anywhere in Canada for
youth," he said. "Many, many kids unfortunately end up in the justice
system because of their addictions, but there are also many kids at risk."

The request for proposal indicates that the ministry has budgeted for up to
$860,000 per year for the delivery of a minimum nine-bed residential
program, with no start-up costs provided.

The facility is to be located somewhere in the Lower Mainland, but
Stelmaschuk said that if he wins the contract, he would like to see it in
Maple Ridge so that it can tie in with local agencies such as the community
policing committees.

Stelmaschuk said he expects to hear some word about which company is
awarded the contract in the next week.

The WJS Group of Companies employs between 500 and 600 full-time staff,
with its national central administration office located in the new office
tower in downtown Maple Ridge.

Its programs in New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. specialize in
services for children and families, people with disabilities, youth and
adult corrections clients, and job readiness programs.