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." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom