Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Parksville Qualicum Beach News Contact: http://www.pqbnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Author: Alli Vail Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) METH PLAN CALLS FOR NEW BEDS A Plan For Dealing With Crystal Meth Is Well On Its Way. The task force chairs from the Oceanside Crystal Meth Task Force met Oct. 11 and treatment sub committee chair Al MacDonald laid out a five-step plan to combat and deal with crystal meth. "The first [step] is to address information," MacDonald says. It involves having a resource directory and an easy-use guide to addiction and support services. "It's step-by-step directions on who to call, what to expect and how to access timely integrated health. Step one aims to identify three agencies as access points for meth information. Those three places will have an understanding on how patients will be treated. Part two of the plan is what MacDonald calls serious addictions protocol. The protocol will be developed and signed between key agencies, ministries, health authorities and community partners to clearly outline an integrated approach to helping youth and families access a range of support services. Part three involves getting youth to help youth. MacDonald says it will involve employing youth to provide drug use education, addictions information and general resource awareness to high-risk youth. Part four is about developing a safe harbour home, also referred to as a supported recovery home. McDonald says it will be a two-bed resource to provide support and stabilization for meth addicted youth. He says there is already significant funding in place, but it will be counting on multi-stakeholder funding as well. "This needs to be a community owned project," he says. "This home will be provided with wrap around services. A variety of services will be attached to the home. He says the safe house has to have safe, easy access to encourage youth who are ready to deal with their addiction to come. "What we know is you can build it, but they may not come," MacDonald says. Part five involves the creation of a residential rehab centre. On Oct. 22, all the Vancouver Island crystal meth task forces will meet in Nanaimo. "We want to spearhead a lobby, a lobby to address the lack of residential rehab beds on Vancouver Island." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom