Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jul 2013
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Jason van Rassel
Page: 8

DETOX BED SHORTAGE WILL TAKE WEEKS TO FIX

Some spaces found outside city

Nearly half of the drug and alcohol detoxification beds in Calgary are
out of commission while a downtown agency forced from its building by
flood damage scrambles to find temporary facilities.

Alpha House Calgary has found a temporary site for its homeless
shelter and other programs, but a spokesman said it's taking longer to
find a suitable place to relocate its 40 detox beds.

"There's a shortage of detox beds to being with," said Adam Melnyk,
Alpha House's outreach co-ordinator.

"That reduces it close to in half."

Detox programs are designed to provide addicts a safe environment to
withdraw from drugs and alcohol prior to entering treatment, with
medical supervision, counselling and other services.

Melnyk estimated it will take "a few weeks" before Alpha House is able
to offer detox somewhere else.

In the interim, Melnyk said the agency has found spaces for some of
its clients in facilities outside Calgary.

It's estimated it will take between three and six months to repair
flood damage inside Alpha House's building on 15th Avenue S.E., near
Macleod Trail.

The building is owned by the provincial government, which is
overseeing the repairs.

"It's hectic, but we're making due." Melnyk said.

Alpha House's administration is working out of the Calgary Urban
Project Society offices on 10th Avenue S.W., while its homeless
shelter has been temporarily moved to the Max Bell Centre.

Frontline workers at Alpha House and other inner-city agencies are
spreading the word to their clients about the relocation, Melnyk said.

"It certainly has been challenging because day by day we don't know
where we're going to be situated," he said.

The push is on to find another place to house the Alpha House shelter
for the coming months, because the Max Bell Centre can't.

Officials said Wednesday the city is working on temporary housing for
hundreds of people expected to be displaced by the floods for several
months.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency director Bruce Burrell estimated
between 550 and 900 Calgarians could be displaced from 12 to 18
months, with an additional 1,200 expected to be out of their homes for
six months.

"We are in the process of getting some clarification from the province
that will see some temporary neighbourhoods constructed on three sites
in Calgary," Burrell said.

The Calgary sites will be similar to one being set up for residents of
High River and will be built by the province.

"We have recommended sites, they will let us know which ones they
believe can be done most quickly. The advantage we have is the three
sites we're looking at right now for the City of Calgary are already
graded and compacted and ready to put the services on," Burrell said.
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