Pubdate: Fri, 17 Mar 2006
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Jeff Bell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

16 BEDS ADDED TO TREAT YOUNG ADDICTS

The Vancouver Island Health Authority's share of $8 million in 
provincial funding for crystal meth treatment and youth drug issues 
will lead to 16 new treatment beds for young addicts.

VIHA, one of six health authorities in the province, is getting 
$1,539,324 for Island needs, including $363,324 specifically for 
dealing with the problem of crystal methamphetamine, a highly 
addictive drug that has been sweeping through many communities. The 
bulk of the funding, $1.18 million, is an increase in VIHA's annual 
budget for youth addiction issues.

Of the 16 new treatment beds coming to Vancouver Island, at least 
four will give priority to crystal meth addicts.

"That also means that many of those youth might be using more than 
one substance," said Michelle Dartnall, VIHA's manager of youth 
addiction services.

She said some preliminary planning for the 16 new beds has already 
begun, along with consultations involving communities and other partners.

"Probably between June and September we'll have the new services in place."

The dispersal of the beds among population centres includes six in 
Victoria for either "withdrawal management" or "residential 
stabilization" patients, six in Nanaimo, two in Parksville and two or 
more in Courtenay/Campbell River

Also in the works are intensive day-treatment services for the 
south-central and north areas of the Island, which Dartnall said is 
an example of the efforts being made to take the treatment pressure 
off Victoria's resources.

"Youth from all over the Island have been accessing those resources," she said.

At present, the capital region has five youth detox beds, along with 
such options as a local shelter that can deal with some youth 
addicts, Dartnall said.

"And we're trying to plan for some existing residential supports."

Health Minister George Abbott said Thursday's funding announcement 
will mean a 75 per cent increase around the province in treatment 
beds for youth addictions, bringing the number of beds to 158.

"In addition, the crystal meth funding will ensure targeted treatment 
and support services are in place for individuals using 
methamphetamine, and their families," he said in a statement.

The total number of addiction treatment beds in B.C. for all patients 
is 1,038, according to the Health Ministry.

NDP Leader Carole James said the added money for addiction services 
is positive news, but that the government should have acted much earlier.

"I'm disappointed that it took them this long," she said. "I'm 
worried that we're still playing catch-up."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom