Pubdate: Fri, 02 Feb 2007 Source: Observer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2007, OSPREY Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676 Author: Dave Paul HELP LINE REACHES OUT Help in dealing with addictions is now more accessible for Sarnia-Lambton residents. Addiction Assistance Service now has a 24-hour, toll-free number which offers support to those living in southwestern Ontario who are in distress due to substance abuse. The hotline, which is operated in association with Westover Treatment Centre, of Thamesville, has been available to residents of Chatham-Kent for six years. Recently, additional funding from the province has allowed the service to be extended to areas including Lambton County, said Ron Paterson, Addictions Assistance Service co-ordinator. "Any time there's new money being spent on addictions it's good news," he said. "It's so underfunded it's unbelievable. Only .2 per cent of one per cent of the (provincial) health budget goes toward treatment of addictions." The service is staffed by qualified addiction counsellors, said Paterson. "Sometimes people just want to talk to someone, sometimes they need more immediate help," he said, adding the hotline is available for anyone who has a problem with alcohol or drugs, "as well as any family member who suffers because of addiction." Typically, Paterson said, the client is assessed over the phone, offered options of treatment services available and directed to the nearest location for that treatment. If immediate withdrawal management (detox) is required, the counsellor will arrange for a bed in either London or Windsor and, if needed, transportation is provided by a trained volunteer driver. Paterson said it is hoped the service will help to alleviate some of the barriers to treatment for single mothers, youth, the elderly and rural residents unable to access treatment on their own. Until now, Lambton residents have had to "find their own way to get to withdrawal management," said Paterson. Many addicts would have been assessed only if they were hospitalized, and transportation to London or Windsor might have been a barrier to treatment. Paul Stebbins, senior counsellor at Bluewater Health's Addiction Services, confirmed that has been the case in Sarnia-Lambton. "Some people might have gone to the hospital and been admitted. Others might have called AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and received some guidance through them," said Stebbins. "But, because we don't have withdrawal management services in Lambton County, a lot of people just wouldn't bother. Even if they knew about the facilities in London or Windsor, they had no way to get there. "Now there is a way," said Stebbins. "This is a very important development for this community." Paterson said Sarnia, being a border city, has significant drug issues. And, like most cities, Sarnia has its share of problem drinkers. More addictions lead to more crime, he added. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek