Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2007
Source: Arrow Lakes News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Arrow Lakes News
Contact:  http://www.arrowlakesnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2309
Author: Aaron Orlando
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

NEW YOUTH ADDICTIONS COUNSELLOR HIRED TO SERVE NAKUSP & AREA

Faith Louis-Adams has been hired as the new Youth Addictions 
Counsellor for Nakusp & Area, including New Denver.

She is employed by Freedom Quest, a regional youth services provider, 
and is based in an office in the Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community 
Services building in Nakusp.

Her services and the programs provided by Freedom Quest are available 
to young people aged 19 and under who are experiencing or have been 
impacted in their lives by addictions issues or have difficulties in 
their lives due to alcohol and/or drug abuse or misuse and who what 
to make change in their lives.

"I'm here to support youth who feel they need assistance with some of 
the decisions they're making around drug use and alcohol use," said 
Louis-Adams. "A holistic approach is used in the treatment and 
support of each person, which encompasses the physical, emotional, 
the mind, the behavioural and the spiritual. Each individual is 
involved in the development of their own treatment plan and support 
is offered through individual counselling and/or in groups. The plan 
may include referrals by me to other community agencies or to other 
programs offered by Freedom Quest," she said.

Adams says that parents can be included in the process. "We also try 
to involve the parents as much as possible." She says that parents 
are not automatically contacted if youth contact her with addictions 
issues. Adams says this is because Freedom Quest does not want to 
deter youth from accessing the services they offer because they fear 
their parents will be automatically informed.

One of the contact programs Adams has been offering is a drop-in Art 
Group in January and February. The program runs from 7-9 p.m. at 
Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services at 205-6th Ave. in Nakusp. 
The first session ended on Feb. 5, and will resume again on Feb. 19, 
possibly at a new location.

She says that her philosophy is to give clients respect and to focus 
on their needs and respect and listen to their experiences.

Some of the community services she can refer clients to include 
individual and group counselling, temporary housing, detox services, 
risk reduction programs, relapse prevention, goal setting programs, 
medical services, mental health services, conflict resolution and 
many other programs and services. "The program is geared to what each 
individual needs," she said.

Adams contract with Freedom Quest is for 13 hours per week. She can 
be contacted through Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services at 
265-3674. If she is not in, you can leave a message on her answering 
service, which she checks daily.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom