Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Matthew Ramsey

YOUTH DETOX CENTRE FACES CLOSURE WITHOUT NEW CASH

The Okanagan's only youth detox facility, due to shut this month, may 
get a reprieve from Victoria.

The five-bed Iridian Centre opened in Kelowna 22 months ago with a 
grant from Ottawa. The non-profit Okanagan Families Society runs the 
facility for $386,000 a year and says it has helped 155 clients, the 
vast majority of who are struggling with crystal meth and cocaine 
addictions. The funding dries up June 30.

After learning of the possible closure, B.C. Health Minister George 
Abbott said his staff will examine the situation to determine what 
can be done. He did not rule out a last-minute cash injection to keep 
the facility open.

"Obviously we're concerned," Abbott said.

Society executive director Dennis Dandeneau said 25 per cent of it 
young clients are homeless and 75 per cent are females.

Over the past two years the centre has asked for help from the 
Interior Health Authority, Premier Gordon Campbell's special 
initiative on homelessness, drug addiction and mental health, and the 
Ministry of Children and Family Development.

So far, all requests for funding have been turned down.

"We were told there was no funds," Dandeneau said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth