Pubdate: Tue, 09 Nov 2004 Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Copyright: 2004 Prince Albert Daily Herald Contact: http://www.paherald.sk.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918 Author: Charlene Tebbutt, Daily Herald Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) FINDING A FLICKER OF HOPE The light can often go out for those trying to beat an addiction. But that does not mean they should stop trying, say organizers of a candlelight walk Monday night in support of drug and alcohol addictions awareness. Dianne Nielsen, director of the Prince Albert Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse which hosted the walk, said the candles represent the path to healing. "When we do the walk, we know the candles are going to go out," Nielsen said. "And then we light them again, and we cover them up, and it needs a lot of lighting up again and trying again." The walk was the first in a series of events in the city in support of Saskatchewan Addiction Awareness Week, which runs Nov. 14-20. This is the first year for the walk, which specifically targeted crystal meth and cigarette addiction. Nielsen said addictions affect those in all walks of life. "What we really want to portray is that it can happen to anybody, anybody can develop this, and it's nothing to be ashamed of," she said. "Our walk is just to respect and honour those who have addictions and are suffering." Gordon Kelly, chairman of PACADA's board of directors, said the number of addicted people with whom the organization works does not reflect the number who still need help. With just two counsellors for every 600 or so clients and an approximate two-week waiting list for treatment, a lack of funding and staffing is part of the problem, he said. "You want to get them while they're hurting and after two weeks they start feeling better (and say) 'maybe I don't have a problem,'" Kelly said. "If we had two more counsellors, we could take another 600. I'm sure they're (clients) out there and willing to come." He said access to new types of drugs -- such as crystal meth, which is cheap, easily available and highly addictive -- will make the need for addictions treatment even more necessary. "With the plague of crystal meth coming now, (there's) going to be very serious consequences to the whole community," Kelly said. "So we do need more funding." Several other events are planned as part of Saskatchewan Addiction Awareness Week. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek