Pubdate: Tue, 13 Feb 2007
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2007 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Pamela Cowan, The Leader-Post
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

FORUM DISCUSSES ADDICTIONS

Is progress being made in preventing and treating drug addiction in 
Saskatchewan?

The public can get an update tonight at a free forum titled 
Partnerships: making a difference in addictions.

Organized by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region in partnership with 
the Regina & Area Drug Strategy, the forum will be held at Wascana 
Rehabilitation Centre Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.

"We're hoping to get parents, teachers, young people, professionals 
- -- anyone interested to attend," said Carla Bolen, the health 
region's manager of health promotion in mental health and addictions.

Partnerships are making a difference, she said.

The Drug Treatment Court, a pilot project that merges health and the 
law to deal with drug-addicted, non-violent offenders would not have 
been possible without collaboration between Sask. Health and Sask. 
Justice, Bolen said. "In some provinces, it hasn't happened that way 
- -- one or the other has taken it on and from what we've heard from 
other provinces, it probably isn't as good a model as we have here in 
Saskatchewan," she said.

Beginning with the Regina Crime Prevention Commission, a drug 
strategy was developed that involved health, justice, learning, 
community resources, the City of Regina, community-based 
organizations and citizens.

Darlene Rude, co-ordinator of the Drug Treatment Court, will explain 
the initiative at the forum.

"This is the first time that we've spoken publicly about the drug 
treatment court," Bolen said. "Darlene will explain what that is, the 
kind of individuals that are coming and the kind of successes that 
they've had so far."

Forum participants will hear about the effects of the secure youth 
detox act, which gives parents and guardians the means to force 
drug-addicted youth into detoxification and is another example of 
collaboration between justice and health, Bolen said.

Although there can be disagreement about approaches to addiction, 
"It's where we've come together that is really making a difference," 
she said. "I think that if people understand what we've done and the 
approach that we're taking, perhaps that will increase their 
understanding of our services and make them more accessible."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom