Pubdate: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 Source: Tri-City News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004, Tri-City News Contact: http://www.tricitynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239 Author: Wanda Chow Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) HOPE FOR GIRLS WITH ADDICTION ISSUES Terri Padavell is not surprised at the number of local youth who end up addicted to drugs. "Drugs are easier to get than alcohol for people under age 19," says Padavell, director of addiction services at the Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families. "They're easy to access, they're in our schools, they're everywhere." And not only are they readily available, designer drugs such as Ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine provide a cheap and lasting high. "Addiction does not discriminate," she said, noting addicts come from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. At the same time, there is a shortage of addictions treatment facilities, particularly for youth and most especially for teenaged girls suffering from addictions. In response, the New Westminster-based Purpose Society has established a new five-bed residential treatment centre in Burnaby specifically aimed at girls aged 14 to 18. The Cedars - named for the grounded, rooted, growing cedar trees in front of the facility - doesn't come cheap. Unlike most other treatment facilities, it doesn't receive any government funding. As a result, without such a subsidy, clients pay $200 a day for the three-month, live-in program. Padavell stressed Purpose Society "will try to work with people" regarding financing. The Cedars is staffed 24 hours a day and uses a holistic approach to dealing with addictions, including group and individual counselling, support for family, teaching of life skills, promotion of health and fitness and community service activities. They'll also have access to Purpose's alternative high school "when they're ready." The key to successful treatment and to preventing the cycle from recurring is to address those issues and behaviours that the addicts are using drugs or alcohol to mask, Padavell said. For instance, it's "quite common" for girls with eating disorders to try drugs in an attempt to lose weight. Drug use can also stem from abuse issues or depression. The importance of dealing with the root causes of addiction became clear for Erin during treatment for her drug and alcohol abuse. "It's all feelings," said the 19-year-old, who asked that her last name not be used. "I'd get loaded because I'd feel sad. I didn't cope with life." Erin says she started using heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol when she was 11 or 12, through people she knew at school. "It was easy to get and I grew up in an environment where drugs were always around." By age 15, "everything was falling apart, I was fighting with my dad, running away ... I was just tired." That's when she decided she needed to go clean. She had been in and out of school, and it was through talking to teachers at one school that she was able to get into detox. Now 19, Erin has been clean for nine months. Drug addiction is too difficult to beat on a person's own, especially for young people, she said. "I never actually got clean until I was in a safe place." * For more information on The Cedars addiction treatment program, call 604-526-2522. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom