Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2010
Source: Beacon Star (CN ON)
Contact: http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/generalform
Copyright: 2010 Copyright Metroland 2010
Website: http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/parrysoun
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3695
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DETOX DILEMMA

Detox centres save lives. Not only can they keep drug addicts alive, 
but they can save the social, emotional, familial, functional lives 
of addicts and alcoholics who otherwise wouldn't be able to tear 
himself or herself away from the bottle, pills, powder or pipe.

Similar centres set up in other communities aren't empty buildings 
set up to appease critics. Addicts go through the doors and, in many 
cases, come out clean or at least with a glimmer of hope.

The fact that there is no such treatment centre in Parry Sound or 
Muskoka, regions that statistically have higher numbers of drug and 
alcohol users per capita, according to provincial health studies, 
than most of the province, is a sign of misplaced priorities, not a 
lack of potential clients.

Users generally don't have the wherewithal or means to travel for 
treatment. It can take every ounce of effort family and friends can 
muster to get loved ones to acknowledge they have and addiction. It 
takes that much more effort to convince them the treatment they need 
is worth relocating to an unfamiliar urban setting.

It's time for the community to step into the campaign for a detox 
centre. It will be the entire community that reaps the benefits of 
fewer addicts, fewer alcoholics, and fewer children forever lost to 
the grip of addictive substances.  .
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom