Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jun 2005
Source: Meridian Booster (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005, The Lloydminster Meridian Booster
Contact:  http://www.meridianbooster.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1590
Author: Erin Pritchard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SLIM THORPE, AADAC PREPARE FOR FUTURE DRUG CHALLENGES

Much has been happening for the Walter A. 'Slim' Thorpe Recovery 
centre here in the Border City -- first the announcement of 
renovations at the annual general meeting and now an open house for 
the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission to show what the centre offers.

Renovations at the centre will include doubling the amount of detox 
beds for a total of 12, while resident beds will climb from 20 to 40. 
Crystal meth programming requirements will also change and see that 
program applicants are clean for 30 days before they are eligible for 
treatment. Previous 'clean time' was seven days.

This past Thursday the AADAC board met at the centre for a board 
meeting and a tour of the facility, something done on a regular basis 
to keep in touch with what is going on throughout the province on the 
substance abuse front.

"Our board are ... very informed individuals, but part of that 
information comes from open houses like this where we can talk to 
people on the local level and find out what they've seen over the 
last number of years and what they expect in the future -- trends 
when it comes to alcohol and other drugs, tobacco, gambling sorts of 
issues," said Dave Rodney, chairman for the AADAC board. "Then we can 
respond to them and in fact not just react, but plan in advance to 
help Albertans in the best way possible."

AADAC, a partner of the Slim Thorpe Recovery Centre since 1988, 
provides 49 per cent of the funding for the centre, which brings in a 
total of $600,000. Rodney said he is happy with the changes the 
Thorpe centre plans to make, but added he can't guarantee extra 
funding through AADAC will be available.

"The fact of the matter is every area of the province does have a 
need and we will have to balance that with everything else that is 
going on," he said.

Rodney said the problems the Border City is facing are similar to the 
rest of the province and constantly changing. With drug and alcohol 
use and abuse continually cropping up in younger children, the need 
for new programs and facilities to deal with youth has been identified.

Plans for two detox centres, one in Calgary and one in Edmonton, 
geared toward the young users are currently in the works and will run 
on a voluntary basis. People from the Midwest wanting to access the 
services will be able to if space permits.

"If we believe what we say about our kids being our future than we've 
got to put not only our money, but our support where our mouths are 
and we have to take care of the young ones," said Rodney. "This isn't 
mandatory, these are people who want to go."

He said there are hopes that a similar centre would be developed for 
the Midwest down the road, but needs and funding dictate where things 
can be stationed and where dollars can be spent.

Sharon Jackson, detox and program manager of the Thorpe centre was 
happy to be able to host the open house and give the board a hands-on 
feel for where the funding dollars are going.

"We've gone in and we've done a presentation on the services that we 
offer and hopes and dreams for the future," said Jackson. "They're 
listening and of course they do some learning ... this is sort of 
their opportunity as a collective group to get out into the 
communities and find out what's happening."

Rodney said a concern for AADAC is the number of people who aren't 
taking the gateway drugs -- marijuana and alcohol -- as seriously as 
they should. More extreme drugs such as cocaine and crystal meth seem 
to take centre stage and people tend to only look at what is making headlines.

"We also have to take a look at not only the end-effect, but what's 
getting us there," he said. "The truth of the matter is if we're 
doing our job as best as we can and society cooperates, we're going 
to work ourselves right out of a job and that's what I'm hoping for."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake