Pubdate: Thu, 15 Sep 2005
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Teresa Bird
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DOCTORS WANT DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHAB CENTRE

PORT McNEILL - The North Island needs a drug and alcohol recovery centre, 
say doctors.

In a proposal to the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Mount Waddington 
doctors say statistics indicate 40 percent of admissions to the Port 
McNeill hospital are drug and alcohol related.

"The number is probably much higher," says Dr. Granger Avery. "We need 
better statistic keeping."

Avery, who operates the Port McNeill Medical Clinic, says patients are 
often admitted to Port McNeill hospital for medical detoxification but 
there is no where for them to go afterwards.

"The 'Namgis have a rehab centre intake facility, but it has limited 
enrollment," says Avery. "It is good for some but not all."

There are only two drug and alcohol workers and Avery says that isn't 
nearly enough.

"We could have 10 and that wouldn't be enough," asserts Avery.

Consequently, Avery says a lot of counselling is done by individual doctors 
in the clinic or in hospital.

"This counselling in another setting, such as down Island, would be in a 
rehab centre," explains Avery.

Before counselling, many patients need time in hospital to detoxify.

"We've had some incredible saves," says Avery. "We've saved some people's 
lives."

Other patients are admitted to the hospital, not for detox, but for illness 
related to prolonged substance abuse.

"The fact that they smoke, they drink too much or haven't paid attention to 
their health because they are on drugs means they get sick in other ways. 
The real burden of illness is the secondary conditions," explains Avery. 
Avery says the latter group of patients tend to be older, while those 
requiring detoxification tend to be younger.

Avery says having a recovery centre on the North Island would be best for 
all involved.

"You really should do this kind of work in the area the patient is going to 
live in," asserts Avery. "It would provide an infrastructure for ongoing 
care between patients, doctors and mental health workers."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom