Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005, Okotoks Western Wheel
Contact:  http://www.westernwheel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638
Author: Laurel Nadon

Red Deer Lake

SALE OF SCHOOL TO REHAB CENTRE CONCERNS RESIDENT

Teen Challenge Alberta Purchases Red Deer Lake School

An MD of Foothills resident has concerns about the current Red Deer
Lake School being sold to Teen Challenge Alberta, a drug and alcohol
rehabilitation program.

Barry Klassen, who lives just east of the location for the new Red
Deer Lake School, said he doesn't think the public is aware that the
old school site has been sold to Teen Challenge Alberta.

"They're going to build a new school less than half a kilometre away
from a drug and alcohol rehab program that houses individuals 24 hours
a day," Klassen said.

However, school division officials say they have heard nothing but
positive things about the Teen Challenge program.

Foothills School Division secretary-treasurer Drew Chipman said a
conditional sale was made with Teen Challenge Alberta about a
year-and-a-half ago.

Chipman said they don't have concerns about the group being close to
the new school, nor was the sale kept a secret.

"We've heard a lot of positives about Teen Challenge and the programs
they offer," Chipman said. "We don't have any concerns that would make
us rethink that sale."

Chipman, who isn't releasing how much the old school site sold for,
said the division received fair value for the school.

The province must approve the capital uses for approximately half of
the funds made from the sale because the province contributed to the
building of the school.

The other half of the funds will be spent at the division's
discretion. The division has earmarked $100,000 toward site work at
the new school.

Teen Challenge Alberta director Barry Berger said they decided to move
from Priddis to become more visible.

They will spend up to $2 million on renovations after they take
possession in January 2007.

Teen Challenge Alberta is a Christian residential rehabilitation
program for men aged 18 and over. They are dedicated to meeting the
physical, spiritual and social needs of drug and alcohol abusers who
demonstrate a clear desire to be free from their addiction.

"Jesus is the answer for everything. We teach our guys three basic
things: we teach them to love Jesus Christ with all their heart, mind
and strength, we teach them to love their neighbours and we teach them
how to work hard," Berger said. "When they learn those three things,
they never drink or do drugs again and are obedient to the laws of the
land."

Teen Challenge Alberta is the longest lasting and one of the most
successful drug and alcohol recovery program in the world and has
programs in 86 countries.

The program started in 1958 and has been located in Priddis for the
past 20 years.

There are currently 12 participants. The participants come to the
program after being in detox and must fill out an application form
themselves.

Berger noted that 86 per cent of program graduates are still clean and
sober five years after graduating. The one-year program features 20
hours per week of classroom work and 20 hours per week of vocational
training.

Berger said that addictions in Alberta have grown 100-fold in the past
15 years.

Teen Challenge receives no government funding and instead is funded by
individual donations. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake