Pubdate: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) ADDICTIONS OFFICE EXPANDING SERVICES What exactly is addiction service-on-demand? Maple Ridge Mayor Gordon Robson promised on-demand drug treatment programs within a month of being elected into office. On Monday, he said, those programs will be in place. But what will they look like? Alouette Addictions Services executive director Ron Lawrence said on-demand treatment is better termed on-demand-information. Anyone suffering an addiction can pick up the phone and call his office. At once, he said, they'll find help. "There is going to be a centralized location for information. "You won't have to think about who to call." Whether the help required involves a trip to detox, one-on-one counselling, family counselling or help meeting the basics, like food and shelter, Lawrence said counsellors will do their best to provide it. The purpose of Alouette's new on-demand addiction services is simple, said the centre's prevention co-ordinator Robb McGirr. "It means that when someone needs help, they're not going to be put on a two-week wait list." When asked whether the services will be there as soon as they're needed, Robson said they must be. "When someone in this town raises his hand and has a crystal meth problem, Mr. Lawrence's crew will be on hand, and if necessary, will find the right treatment. "Will we be overwhelmed? I'm not sure, but we have no choice." At this moment, the mayor added, people are getting beds in detox within a day or two of asking for help. But that's not good enough, he continued. "We've got to make that shorter and be more responsible." If the counsellors at Alouette find themselves overburdened by clients needing immediate drug treatment, Robson said the district will just have to pull together and fill those needs. "We will create more service - we don't have a choice. These are our kids, they're our neighbours. We have no choice." To help meet the expected demand for service, Lawrence has hired a director of clinical services with expertise in adolescent clinical psychology. The new expert, he said, will start Dec. 20. In the meantime, Lawrence will start a drop-in program beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday. As for providing on-demand-detox, McGirr said most often, it is just not feasible. Many clients who are contemplating leaving their addiction behind may not be at the stage where they can enter detox. "If somebody comes in for help we have to find out what it is they're looking for and what help they need. "It's not just 'Bang' you're in treatment," McGirr said. In many cases, he added, before heading off for treatment, more pressing concerns have to be addressed. Maybe a client needs to find childcare or is more concerned about putting food in the cupboard before she can even get to detox, he said. That's where the drop-in program comes in, McGirr explained. Counsellors can assess a clients' needs and make small steps toward getting them into rehab. Another component of the program is to work with other agencies, including the RCMP and the hospital, to make certain those with addictions are offered the help they need. In the past, said Lawrence, there has been too much overlap and too little communication between agencies. All of this result in gaps in service, he said. "We're just trying to design this in a way that the resources are used in the best way they can be." Sometimes, he added, the hardest thing to do is open the door and ask for help. And for those people, he said, just pick up the phone. Alouette Addictions can be reached at 467-5179. To visit the office, head to 22477 Lougheed Hwy. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake