Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Jim Beatty Note: With file from Amy O'Brian SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELLORS FEEL CAMPBELL'S BUDGET CUTS VICTORIA -- At the same time Premier Gordon Campbell is preparing to seek alcohol abuse counselling, his government is cutting services for thousands of others who require the same assistance. Drug and alcohol counselling providers say they are being forced to cut services by about 10 per cent as a result of provincial budget constraints. Roy Crowe, executive director of the Association of Substance Abuse Programs of B.C., called it ironic that Campbell would be seeking the very services his government is cutting. "The cuts have been five to 10 per cent across the board," Crowe said Monday. Essentially, Crowe said the province has frozen the money it spends on drug and alcohol counselling. With more demand, increasing costs and provincially approved wage increases, the result is about 10 per cent less for addiction services. Crowe said about 80 of the non-profit drug and alcohol organizations he represents are facing a cash crisis that will lead to fewer clients being served. But for a Victoria organization that has provided alcohol treatment for 27 years, the cut has been far worse. In July, the provincial government cut all funding to the Victoria Life Enrichment Society, an organization that has provided intensive alcohol treatment since 1975. "We are struggling to continue to operate," said Martin Spray, executive director of the society. "They gave us 60 days notice after 27 years of service. We had no warning, it just came out of the blue." The society, which has treated more than 9,000 British Columbians, annually received $500,000 from the provincial government but now gets nothing. "The rug was pulled out from beneath us," Spray said. "We were not given any written explanation about why we were cut." The society formerly charged clients about $1,000 for a four-week residential treatment program. It now must charge $4,500 for the same service -- a fee that has dramatically reduced the number of people seeking treatment. Lianne Peterson, director of communications with the Vancouver Island Health Authority, said the society lost its funding because it did not provide adequate treatment. "It was just not a state of the art treatment modality," Peterson said. "It was not a treatment modality that was consistent with the way the Vancouver Island Health Authority envisioned care." Peterson insists, however, that medical care for those with addictions and mental health issues has improved since the health authority took control of services. "The advantage of integrating the care is dual diagnosis. Many, many individuals who suffer from addiction also have mental-health issues. That allows us to understand and treat both sides of the issue as opposed to treating them in isolation of one another," Peterson said. After being charged with drunk driving in Hawaii on Jan. 10, Campbell asked for the forgiveness of British Columbians while swearing off booze. Although he doesn't believe he has an alcohol problem, Campbell has agreed to seek professional help. The province annually spends $64 million on addiction services, which includes drug and alcohol counselling, detox, outreach and residential services. The money, which has been frozen this year at the same level as last year, is divided among the five provincial health regions, which make specific decisions on where the money should be spent. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth