Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 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: Jack Poirier

ONTARIO PLEDGES MORE DRUG TREATMENT FUNDING

MPP Di Cocco Cites Observer Drug Story

The plight of a local drug addict featured in The  Observer has 
caught the attention of the provincial  government, which is pledging 
more money for treatment  services.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco said Friday a  two-part series 
titled To Hell and Back has struck a  chord with her government. The 
feature, which detailed  the struggles of Jeff Christie trying to 
break an  addiction to crystal methamphetamine was a wake-up  call, she said.

"We need to do more. It is an issue being discussed  within the 
government. (Health Minister George  Smitherman) understands the 
file. There will be more  emphasis and money to add to the services." 
Last year,  the province added $7 million to its 
$113-million  addictions budget but the level of service 
remains  inadequate, she said.

The absence of a local detox centre is particularly  troubling, she added.

"You can expect more assistance, more investment in  services dealing 
with addiction. It's of concern to me  that we don't have a full 
complement of services  locally."

Front-line providers are fighting to meet demand, with  wait lists 
topping two months in some cases. After a  12-year freeze, the 
province increased addiction  services funding three per cent in 2004 
and 1.5 per  cent in 2007.

Jeff Christie, the subject of the special feature,  recently 
completed a 21-day residential drug treatment  program near Whitby, 
Ont. and has been clean for six  weeks. But it's a challenge 
accessing local services,  and without the support of a 12-step 
program he  wouldn't have lasted this long, said the 
32-year-old,  married father-of-three.

"It's hard to make any progress in terms of recovery  when there's 
not a lot of help out there," he said.

He has a probation order requiring him to complete  anger management 
counselling. But because of a recent  United Way funding cut, the 
John Howard Society has  placed its anger management program on hold. 
A decision  on the future of the program is weeks away.

Christie, who is living on social assistance, said he's  also been 
refused marriage counselling unless he can  pay the $800 fee himself. 
And finding a job when you're  labelled a druggie is proving 
difficult, Christie said.

His wife, Heather, who has welcomed her husband back  into the family 
home, said it's no wonder addicts have  a hard time getting straight. 
"It's frustrating," she  said. "Here we are, trying as a family, to 
work  together and resolve our problems but it seems like  doors are 
being slammed in our face.

"It's hard seeing the effect on Jeff because I know how  much he 
wants the help."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman