Pubdate: Fri, 01 Oct 2004 Source: Trentonian And Tri-County News, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2004, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.trentonian.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2611 Author: Heather Johnson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DRUG OF CHOICE TENDS TO 'EBB AND FLOW' Quinte West has been dubbed a crack cocaine "hot spot in eastern Ontario," according to information recently presented to the Police Services Board, but those who help people dealing with addictions say it's another step in a constantly changing cycle. Cate Sutherland, executive director of the Addictions Centre Hastings and Prince Edward Inc., said "The drug of choice tends to ebb and flow. It's related to availability. Several years ago, heroin was readily available in the area. "Any substance of abuse, except alcohol, tends to develop a pattern. Alcohol and cannabis are the primary drugs we deal with, but there's a lot more (cocaine) around now than last year. Then again, it was also prevalent in the late 80s." Sutherland said simple economics - price and availability - determine which drugs tend to appear on the street. "If there's lots around and it's cheap, we'll see more of it." More difficult to determine is exactly why certain drugs become cheaper and more accessible. "That's something I suppose you'd have to discuss with someone selling it." Sutherland said she has no doubt the police are the ones who see drug use at its most prominent. "There's a big difference between police and centre. They see it at its worst. We don't see the effects of it being on the street immediately; we might not start seeing clients until well afterward." The Addiction Centre has two sites (residential and outpatient) in Belleville, as well as satellite offices in the area. Clients are both referred to and come directly to the centre. There are no fees, and everything is confidential. "The misconception is that we require everyone to abstain from everything. That's not necessarily true," Sutherland said. "The main focus is harm reduction; to reduce or eliminate the problems being caused. We ask the client, 'What do you want to change?' and sometimes the answer is to eliminate the alcohol or substance. But we're solution-focused." The Belleville outpatient site is located at 218 Front St. (upstairs) in Belleville, and is open Monday to Thursday from 8:15 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday from 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. It offers standardized addiction assessment; outpatient counselling and treatment for persons concerned with their or someone else's substance use or gambling and assists to develop individual treatment plans based on client needs and preferences. New clients are always accepted. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek