YOUTH SHELTERS, DETOX NEEDED

Safe houses and detox facilities are among the services lacking for local
at-risk youth, a study is finding.

The Haney Central Policing Committee commissioned a study this fall to
identify gaps in services for local youths. It's considered a first step
towards addressing some long-standing concerns in Maple Ridge and Pitt
Meadows, including a lack of urban-type services.

"We're not a small town any more," said consultant Carol Munro, hired to
conduct the study. "We are a growing community and we need to recognize the
fact that we are starting to face some urban issues."

Some ongoing concerns have been lack of supports for youth addicted to
alcohol and drugs, the need for alternatives to school suspensions, teen
pregnancy and hunger.

But of particular concern to the community policing committee is the lack
of temporary housing for youth in crisis. At the moment, youth either have
to travel to Burnaby or Vancouver to access these services, 'couch surf' or
stay in unhealthy or unsafe environments, Munro said.

Since starting the study in August, Munro has been talking to a variety of
local agencies and service providers, as well as parents and youth. While
there are many innovative programs and services, resources are limited and
some key needs aren't being met.

"I think they (the study's findings) are going to point to a shelter as
well as other things, such as a detox for youth and drug and alcohol
counselling," Munro said.

Those unmet needs will only grow as the youth population expands, she said.
The latest figures available from Statistics Canada, from 1996, show this
community has more than double the average B.C. percentage of residents
between ages five to 14 - about 16.5 per cent compared to 6.9 per cent. "We
need to mobilize the community to find ways to fill some of the gaps in
services for youth."

Munro is now distributing a questionnaire to parents, youth and service
providers based on information she has gathered. Copies are available to
the public at the Family Education and Resource Centre and Greg Moore Youth
Centre.

"I don't want to alarm the community. Of course the majority of youth in
Ridge Meadows are making healthy choices. But we do have some challenges,
and a first step is to give everyone an opportunity to identify the gaps in
services and what our priorities should be," she said.

The study is funded by the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime
Prevention, which places youth as one of its top priorities.

The community policing committee shares the strategy's philosophy that the
best way to deal with underlying causes of crime and victimization is to
provide children, youth and their families with targeted support and resources.

The study is to conclude in December. At that point, Munro said she hopes
the findings will lead to strategies to tackle the identified priorities.
For more information or to provide input, contact Munro at 604-466-3430 or
carol.munro@royalroads.ca