Pubdate: Wed, 29 Mar 2006
Source: Caledonia Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Fort Saint James Courier
Contact:  http://www.caledoniacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3189
Author: Ray Bertrand
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

TREATMENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Lunch with a colleague in Prince George led me to an interesting 
paper published by the B.C. Ministry of Health Services, entitled 
"Every Door is the Right Door" (May 2004).

An opening quote in this document reads: "Dedicated to individuals, 
families and stakeholders who have made it clear to us that every 
door must be the right door. Wherever people seek help they will be 
treated respectfully and supported to access the services they need." 
(Honourable Susan Brice, Minister of State for Mental Health and 
Addiction Services)

This paper is an exhaustive framework for dealing with the challenges 
of addictions and mental health from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 
to Concurrent Disorders identified in the DSM IV.

It clearly identifies the need for a client addressing substance 
abuse or mental health issues to get the help they require, when they 
require it.

This should be a continuum of care whether the person comes in 
through a medical practitioner, a mental health counselor or from the 
legal system.

The system has been set up with a labyrinth of barriers. To obtain 
help for a client, one must run the gauntlet of frustration. One 
doctor writes in the winter 2005 edition of Visions (a B.C. health 
and addiction journal): "If addiction is considered a bona fide 
health disorder, we could be accused of violating the Canada Health 
Act by failing to provide adequate treatment for people with 
addictions and by permitting barriers to treatment, such as user fees 
for residential treatment and methadone maintenance programs."

The myriad of services offered by the health authorities in B.C. 
should be available to each and every individual seeking help.

Financial constraints, user fees for treatment and the inability of 
clients being able to receive assistance when they require it, should 
not be permitted in this wealthy country of ours.

If someone seeks medical or psychiatric intervention, be it the 
client or the referral agency, doors should be swinging open. The 
monies should be available.

It should not matter which department of the government foots the 
bill. There is a small window of opportunity when a client says, "I'm 
ready." If the help is not available at that time, we may be visiting 
him/her on a slab in the morgue.

Your comments are appreciated.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman