Pubdate: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, West Partners Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294 Author: Jennifer Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) HEALTH MINISTER DEFENDS HARM REDUCTION PILOT PROJECT Minister of Health George Abbott defended B.C.'s harm reduction approach to addiction treatment while stopped in Kelowna Friday. Asked about local debate on the St. Paul's transitional housing project, Abbott said the province adopts a harm reduction approach to homeless mental health and addictions treatment because it's the best approach to help the disenfranchised access the system. "We need to meet the people afflicted by addictions on terms that work for them, not terms that work for the government," he said. "We need to meet people's needs where they are and how they are. "For us to think that everybody is going to respond to a particular model probably would be naive on our part. "We need to have a spectrum of services in place that do provide all people afflicted with addictions with the opportunity to respond to counselling." On hand for the one-on-one media interviews held in the Interior Health Authority's corporate offices, Abbott's comments were seconded by IHA board chairman Alan Dolman. "You can imagine how hard it is to live in an environment where you can't bath, you've had your things stolen, you may have had you're ID stolen and yet we'd like you to give up your addiction," said Dolman. He emphasized the approach is about getting people set up in a place where health professionals can help them succeed in making life changes. The comments round out a week which saw business professionals who oppose a housing project call a public meeting in The Grand Hotel to blast the chosen location and harm reduction approach to the project, labeled a wet facility as clients would not be requried to be instantly abstinent as they enter treatment. The City of Kelowna and Interior Health Authority received a $5-million provincial grant for the project, with $4.5 million allocated to the transitional housing site and $500,000 dedicated to moving the Gospel Mission. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake