Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Karen Lazaruk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) AADAC OPENS SATELLITE OFFICE Airdrie Echo - Those battling substance abuse problems no longer have to commute to Calgary or Cochrane to find the help they need. The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) opened a satellite office in Airdrie on Monday and from it, a full-time counsellor will provide addiction information, prevention and treatment services - including assessment, referral and counselling - to residents of Airdrie and surrounding communities. Having lobbied for a local AADAC office for the past two years, North Rocky View Community Resource Centre coordinator Rubyann Vitalos said the announcement is a welcome one. "It will definitely be beneficial," Vitalos said. "It's one of the needs we identified. It will fill a gap for Airdrie and for the surrounding area." Airdrie-Rocky View MLA Carol Haley agreed. "This is a growth area of the province and it is not immune to problems associated with alcohol and other drugs, as well as gambling," Haley said. "I am delighted we could respond so quickly to the requests made by various groups in my community." "With the counsellor right here in Airdrie, it will make it much easier, especially for young people, to get help without having to commute to Calgary," Haley added. According to AADAC, investment in the treatment of addictions can be recovered in one to three years by reducing or eliminating addiction-related costs in health care, the workplace, social services and the justice system. The office will be temporarily located at Child and Family Services, 209 Centre Avenue. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin