Pubdate: Wed, 20 May 2009
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Wy0dnBlK
Website: http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Arnet Hales

WE NEED SOME NEW ANSWERS

Dear editor,

Repeat offenders, drug and alcohol abuses and violence - is it time 
to re-visit these age old problems, hoping to find a solution?

"Sixty days will hopefully give you the opportunity to go through 
alcohol treatment; then hopefully, you will go through treatment in 
the community," said Judge William Jack while sentencing a repeat 
offender described as a lost soul.

Local officials were waiting for Lawrence Speck to reach the North 
Island, so they could help him after his release. It seems all 
recognize help lies in the community, rather than in jail or other 
outside treatment, but how best to provide the much needed help?

Traditional support and treatment systems, AA and NA, are based in 
the offender's readiness to partake in the program. "Just do the 
program" is an often repeated phrase, but the problem may lie in one 
lost soul trying to save another, or in biblical terms the blind 
leading the blind.

This approach has worked well in the past, but with the numbers of 
repeat offenders increasing in our community, it is perhaps time to 
take the next step forward in community treatment.

Hope Builders Christian Restorative Ministries, soon to be based at 
Providence Place (the former Thunderbird Inn) in Port Hardy is 
preparing to make that much needed step.

Hope Builders is establishing a well-proven and successful format, 
used by the M2W2 Association, for the support and accountability of 
individuals seeking treatment for their problems.

Circles of caring volunteers surround the offender with support and 
equally needed person-to-person accountability.

These circles meet, as needed, with the offender after the return to 
the community. They continue to meet until they are no longer 
necessary, but that can take a life time.  They are non-professionals 
guided by their care and concern for both the offender and their community.

Imprisonment and mandated treatment, in centres outside of the 
community, may be necessary; but hope for success lies in the circle 
that the offender finds at home in the community.

For more information, contact  or call 
250-949-9542 during evening hours.

Arnet Hales

Port Hardy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom