Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Comox Valley Record Contact: http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) VICTORIA FUNDS ADDICTION SERVICES Young people struggling with alcohol and drug addictions will benefit from increased resources and an integrated regional network of youth addictions services across Vancouver Island, as a result of new provincial funding. "We have increased the Vancouver Island Health Authority's (VIHA) annual budget for youth addictions by $1.176 million annually and earmarked an additional $363,000 specifically for crystal meth treatment," said George Abbott, Minister of Health. To help young people break the cycle of substance abuse and addiction so that they can lead healthy, productive lives, VIHA plans to establish 16 new withdrawal management and stabilization beds for substance dependent youth on the Island, said Wendy Amos, Director of VIHA's Child, Youth and Family Services. VIHA is also enhancing education and prevention programs, intensive day treatment programs and counselling services for drug and alcohol involved youth and their families. To address the growing problem of crystal methamphetamine addiction, VIHA is matching the ministry's funding on a one-time basis - devoting an extra $363,000 for crystal meth initiatives in fiscal 2005/06. Located in Victoria, Nanaimo/Parksville and Courtenay/Campbell River, VIHA's new, integrated network of youth addiction service centres will offer: Community-based counselling for youth and families; Prevention, education and development consultation with a focus on issues and concerns associated with crystal methamphetamine use; Community-based withdrawal management; Residential withdrawal management beds (one-third of the beds will have priority for crystal meth); Supported residential stabilization beds (one-third of beds will have priority for crystal meth); Intensive day treatment programs which will contain dedicated treatment components regarding crystal methamphetamine involvement; Education and training for communities and primary and secondary service providers. In addition, VIHA is establishing on the North Island two to four new withdrawal management/ residential stabilization beds in Courtenay/Campbell River. Youth with crystal meth addictions will have priority access to half of the new beds. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)