Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2007 Journal-Pioneer Contact: http://www.journalpioneer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789 Author: Lori A. Mayne Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) COUNCIL SUPPORTS LOBBY FOR ADDICTION FACILITY SUMMERSIDE - If it takes a community to raise a child, it might also take one to get that child off drugs. Summerside city council took a step forward on that front Monday night. Council agreed to endorse the efforts of a parents' support group, which has been lobbying the Province for a youth addiction facility. The group also wants legislation allowing parents to force their children to get help. Coun. Garth Lyle, who brought the resolution forward, attended one of the group's meetings. He told council the stories he heard would tear your heart out. "I guess that if you don't have it and you don't realize it, or if you don't have friends that are going through it, it's easy to say 'Oh, it's not a problem,'" he said after the meeting. "But it is a big problem in our community." "It just doesn't affect the parents and the child; it also affects the whole family - their brothers, their sisters. They know what's going on; they hear the fighting. It's not a real healthy environment for anybody to be living in." The Province has announced plans for a youth treatment facility, but details haven't been released. Cathy DesRoches, member of the parents' support group, said it means a lot to have council come on board. "We need all the help we can get." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek