Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: John Bermingham Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) A DREAM TO GIVE DRUG ADDICTS NEW HOPE MLA Wants Former Army Barracks To Mimic Italian Success Story Vancouver MLA Lorne Mayencourt wants to turn a former army barracks near Prince George into a cutting-edge community for drug addicts and alcoholics. To be called New Hope, the 65-hectare community would house 100 people in a long-term-recovery program that could last years. It's based on an Italian model that has treated more than 20,000 addicts and has a 72-per-cent success rate. B.C.'s addicts usually get one week of detox and 28 days of treatment, then are back on the street. But 85 per cent relapse within the first 30 days. The Italian model has a high success rate because people not only kick the habit but also turn their lives around. "I'm not entirely satisfied with what we do now, and I think we can do much better," Mayencourt told The Province from Prince Rupert. "The therapeutic community model that we're looking at in Italy has some real great opportunities here in B.C." New Hope members would get addictions treatment, therapeutic support and learn new work skills to turn their lives around. "You spend some time exploring who you are as a person," said Mayencourt, who has visited the San Patrignano community on the Adriatic. Its 2,200 recovering addicts live there for three to five years. "When they leave, they have a fighting chance to make it." Prince George city councillor Murry Krause, who has worked in local addiction services for 12 years, is keen to consider Mayencourt's plan. "This is an idea that's worth exploring," he said. "We've got to be thinking outside the box, and certainly we've got to explore every option." Mayencourt is currently promoting the concept in northern B.C. towns, such as Terrace, Smithers, Burns Lake and Dawson Creek. "I want to create a good deal of awareness about this as a treatment option for British Columbians," he said. "It's not going to happen unless the communities of this province say it's a good idea." The property, which in recent years has been used as a resort, includes a 15-room inn, restaurant, gymnasium, bowling alley and fire hall. But it needs a medical centre. Mayencourt has talked to the Edmonton owners and they're willing to lease it for three years. Now he needs $150,000 in the first year to get it up and running. It costs about $15,000 a year for each resident. It will be privately funded, and generate revenues from its own enterprises. Mayencourt hasn't ruled out asking for government funding later. Mayencourt has enlisted the support of Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, and he's organizing a roundtable in the city in September. He figures half the residents will come from the Northern Health Authority, with the balance from the rest of B.C. Donald MacPherson, Vancouver's drug policy co-ordinator, called it "a compelling idea," but added it's not for everyone. "It would be a welcome addition to the array of options that we have for people," he said. "They learn craftsmanship or trades, and come out with much more than just drug treatment." "Very few people can take that amount of time out of their lives, and most people would not need that duration of time away from their own community," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman