Pubdate: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Peace Arch News Contact: http://www.peacearchnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333 Author: Kevin Diakiw Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) SURREY MEMORIAL DRUG REHAB ZONE SHAPING UP A concentration of drug and alcohol treatment services is forming along the southern edge of Surrey Memorial Hospital. Maple Cottage Detox, formerly in New Westminster, is moving to a three-acre parcel on 94A Avenue. It will have detox beds for 30 clients, six of those reserved for youth 18 and younger. Addictions experts and social service providers have long said Surrey needs detox facilities. Maple Cottage offers medically supervised detox, the most intensive available outside a hospital setting. Once in the detox, an on-duty physician prescribes medication for withdrawal management, then patients are monitored by nurses and other staff. A counsellor interviews clients during their stay and refers them to other agencies where they can go once they detoxify. The detox process takes up to a week, and boasts a 75 per cent "program completion" rate. The application for the Maple Cottage move was praised by Surrey council Tuesday. "This is a wonderful facility, and Surrey has wanted and supported it for a number of years," Coun. Marvin Hunt said, noting the city isn't contributing financially to the development. "So we're doing exactly what we're supposed to be doing-land use." Coun. Dianne Watts, chair of Surrey-based Drug-Crime Community Action Group, said the medical detox is appropriately located near SMH, where resources can be shared. "It's crucial to have all of these services available especially when individuals have made the decision that they want to become clean and sober," Watts said. "Without the services, their likelihood of slipping back into their lifestyle is very high." Susan McKela, manager of health services at Maple Cottage, said Wednesday the facility will be complete by fall next year, when it will take its first clients from throughout Fraser Health Authority. Maple Cottage, which may be renamed to "something suitable to the area," has 40 staff, including 13 nurses and four physicians. It will be two doors from Phoenix House, another facility offering "social" detox, a less intensive form of withdrawal management. The planned three-storey facility will offer 28 drug and alcohol recovery beds and 36 affordable housing units, with room for expanded services, which may eventually include a medical clinic. While McKela says no formal discussions have taken place, city planners envision a close relationship between the two facilities. In addition, the region is working on the possibility of a "centre for excellence in addiction," which would provide resource services, assisting patients recovering from addiction as they seek jobs, housing, lifestyles training and counselling. Watts said with the extra services, Surrey streets will be safer. "It's important to remember 90 per cent of crime is drug-related," Watts said. "So unless you get to the root cause of these issues, it's never going to change." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek