Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jul 2005
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311
Author: Coun. Pam Goldsmith-Jones and Coun. Maureen McKeon Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DAY TREATMENT FOR ADDICTS PLANNED FOR FALL

Dear Editor:

Your story, Lookout Shelter Always Full (North Shore News, July 17) points 
to the critical need for addiction services on the North Shore. The North 
Shore Task Force on Substance Abuse has been working closely with Vancouver 
Coastal Health, and has recently secured funding to develop and open 
day-treatment programs right here on the North Shore.

The program is intended for youth and adults, and will include strong 
outreach. Its staff will work in the field- - at the Lookout Shelter, for 
example - as well as within a facility that is being renovated right now.

Barnabas Walther, director of mental health for the North Shore Coast 
Garibaldi region, is ensuring that community partners are involved in 
designing the new day-treatment program. We met for the first time last 
week, and we will include the Lookout Shelter at this stage in the planning.

The day-treatment program is also part of a comprehensive "shared care" 
approach. This means that North Shore clients will be able to access 
critical services that are available in Vancouver, in a timely manner, to 
follow up on the treatment they will receive here at home.

The day-treatment program will not be operating until late fall 2005. The 
Task Force on Substance Abuse and the health region are planning a formal 
announcement in September.

As well, health funding now provides part-time, on-site staff to help 
address mental health and addictions issues at the North Shore Youth Safe 
House.

Thank you for drawing attention to the dire need for treatment services for 
addictions on the North Shore. West Vancouver District, North Vancouver 
District, North Vancouver City, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Squamish First 
Nation and school districts 44 and 45 recognize this.

We continue to work on prevention, law enforcement and harm-reduction 
initiatives, in a concerted, community-based effort to address the life 
damaging effects of substance abuse, and the far reaching social costs.

Coun. Pam Goldsmith-Jones, West Vancouver District

Coun. Maureen McKeon Holmes, North Vancouver

District Co-chairwomen

North Shore Task Force on Substance Abuse 
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MAP posted-by: Beth