Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 The Vancouver Sun Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Author: Susan Haga TEENAGED ADDICTS NEED ANY HELP THEY CAN GET As a parent who is currently struggling through the hell of dealing with the consequences of having an addicted teenage son, I read the Jan. 22 article, "Young addicts go to Alberta to get help they can't get there," with great interest. What I read was both touching and reminiscent of our own struggle with the exposure of the depth of our son's problems. On the other hand, I found some of the details regarding the lack of addiction programs in B.C. misleading. My son is now engaged in a residential program in the Lower Mainland for a minimum of nine weeks. This program includes a family component. Admittedly, he had to sink pretty low and have a probation order to get him into the program, but it sounded as if Conrad Ahrens was far down that road, too. I welcome the interest in bringing a program to B.C. which lasts as long as the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre's, but I invite Gerry Bellett to take a look at the hard work and commitment being put in by the people who run the programs available now (e.g., The Last Door, Exodus). Anything that exposes the growing problem our youths are experiencing with addiction is welcome, but please make sure the facts are balanced. Susan Haga North Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Terry F