NEW TREATMENT PROGRAM INCREASES OPTIONS FOR YOUTH FIGHTING
ADDICTION

Starting in April, local youth facing drug abuse issues will have
another place to turn to.

Based on a successful seven-year-old program in New Westminster, the
Ridge Meadows DEWY (Day, Evening, Weekend for Youth) program will
assist youth ages 13 to 18 in taking their lives back and finding more
stable ground.

"It's a harm reduction approach," said Geoff Bodnarek, one of two
youth counsellors who will facilitate the program.

From 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, youth will meet in a group
setting -- the program's funding, coming from Fraser Health, allows
for a maximum of 16 youth -- for the core program of group work,
personal health and safety, goal setting and other issues, and are
expected to meet one-on-one with either Bodnarek or Chantelle Taylor,
the program's other facilitator, once per week.

"Youth are required to have stable housing to attend, and they have to
be referred by a youth service," Bodnarek said.

Referrals might come from the local youth centres, counsellors, or
other agencies working with young people.

DEWY runs 10 to 12 weeks at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre
and is starting up as a pilot program in the community.

As an option, recreational opportunities are made available to the
youth. Once a month they will choose an outing, such as laser tag, to
unwind. There will also be a cooking component, art, life skills
training and the possibility of some gender-specific programming at a
later date.

The time commitment is 35 hours per week.

"We're doing intakes right now and we have an open house on Friday
[March 30]," Bodnarek said.

DEWY has been a successful venture in New Westminster, and Bodnarek is
hoping it will be of benefit to local youth.

"What success means is building community partners and getting
appropriate referrals," he said.

To be admitted into the program, youth must be assessed by an alcohol
and drug professional, their housing situation confirmed, the
existence of a substance abuse problem and risk of relapse
established, outpatient aftercare arranged and physical health
confirmed, according to the program's brochure.

Youth intakes will continue into the second week of April, Bodnarek
said.

The open house for further information on the program, which is
administered by Pacific Community Resources, takes place between 9
a.m. and 7 p.m. March 30 at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre.