RESIDENTIAL DRUG, ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAM PLANNED

A residential treatment program for Yukoners with drug and alcohol
addictions will be available early in the new year - but it won't be permanent.

The territorial government's new alcohol and drug secretariat is creating a
residential program where addicts would spend a month to get help for their
problems.

Larry Whitfield, the secretariat's coordinator, said last Wednesday this
would be the first treatment offered in months where patients would check
into a government facility and stay there to be treated.

The government last offered a residential program earlier in the year,
possibly spring, although Whitfield was unsure exactly when.

Currently, people with addictions can only go to the secretariat where they
are counselled and given assistance but cannot stay overnight.

"Right now, we have what we call out-patient treatment," said Whitfield. He
said that is all some people need.

Under the new program, people will live at the Sarah Steele Building on
Sixth Avenue for the entire month.

The first program will run for the month of February and will be strictly
for women. At the beginning of March, after the women's program is
finished, there will be the same treatment for men.

However, after the month-long treatment for men is over, there are no plans
set for any other residential programs at this point.

The centre will be able to treat eight to 10 people in each of the two
month-long programs.

Whitfield said those in the programs will be referred by various alcohol
and drug and social workers.

He said it's possible there will be more people who need the help than beds
available. However, it is also possible that not everyone who is referred
to the program will show up for treatment when the program begins.

This new program is longer than the last residential treatment the
government conducted, which lasted about three weeks.

Whitfield said the community told the secretariat it wanted a longer
treatment program.

As well, the past programs have had both men and women being treated at the
same time. He said the Yukoners also told the secretariat it wanted one
gender treated at a time.

As for the cost to run the program, Whitfield said there will be the usual
staff wages as well as the possibility other workers may be brought into help.

For the patients themselves, he said it will cost the government $29 per
day for accommodations.

"It's not a big cost," he said.

While this program is only set to last two months, Whitfield said the
secretariat is working on a permanent program to help alcohol and drug addicts.