DETOX CENTRE APPROVED

Facility Needed, Says Councillor

The Abbotsford treatment and detox centre couldn't come at a better
time, says Abbotsford Coun. John Smith.

"It is so important that there are properly run places that will help
these women get off drugs and get off the street, so they can have
some stability in their lives," said Smith.

His comments come after the council approved a new 10-bed centre,
aimed at females 13 to 19 years old, last Monday.

The application for the centre was put forward by the Spirit Bear
Society, a group that was founded to help young women with a
dependency on drugs and alcohol. The group also aims to help them deal
with the impact of physical and sexual abuse.

While the centre was approved by council, there were many at the
hearing, which took place a week earlier, who spoke against it. The
city was given a petition signed by 125 people opposed to it. "I can
understand those concerns, but I think their fears are unfounded and I
think this will be a very good neighbour this community," said Smith.

"I know they are good people."

Lynn Ned, the founder and executive director of the Spirit Bear Center
Society, said the girls would stay in the facility for up to one year.

She added while there they would receive schooling.

The aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents in the centre would be
from both inside and outside Abbotsford.

They would be referred by the province.

Smith says with the Robert Pickton trial over, the message should be
clear: addicts need protection.

"If there were more facilities you wouldn't have the Picktons of this
world able to prey on women who are addicted to drugs," said Smith.