Pubdate: Thu, 09 Nov 2006
Source: Peterborough This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 mykawartha.com, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.mykawartha.com/peterboroughNews
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1794
Author: Colleen Kimmett

DETOX CENTRE SEEN AS WAY TO EASE CRACK USE

Peterborough needs a detox centre if it wants to get serious about 
dealing with drug users.

That's the message from Peggy Shaughnessy, an addiction counsellor 
and president of Whitepath Consulting and Counselling Services.

"Detox is step one to getting people off drugs," she says.

"Why don't we have that here?"

Her comments come in the wake of Project Crackdown, a major drug 
investigation by Peterborough police that has surprised many in the 
community - even the officers involved.

"They're not the major distributors," Sergeant Streeter, major case 
manager for the criminal investigation unit, says of the accused.

"And a significant number of those charged are users themselves."

He says that crack cocaine users often begin selling to support their 
own habits.

That's one of the reasons why Ms Shaughnessy feels detox is so 
important. Crack cocaine is cheap and very addictive, and getting off 
it is a medical process, she explains.

Addiction counselling services are offered in Peterborough, but there 
are no public facilities where addicts can go through withdrawal in a 
medically supervised setting.

The closest detox facility is Pinewood Centre, in Oshawa, and it's 
funded by the Ministry of Health.

"You don't just quit taking drugs," says Ms Shaughnessy.

"Withdrawal is very difficult. It's serious and it can be dangerous."

One area resident, who asked not to be identified, says his mother 
lives on Aylmer Street a block down from a crack house police raided 
last week. The 25-year-old says he's had to chase dealers away from 
the neighborhood. He's dealt marijuana before, never cocaine, he 
says, but knows that it's readily available.

"The drugs will always be there," he explains.

"If people want it and their usual guy got busted they'll find it 
somewhere else."

Sgt. Streeter says after an undercover operation like Project 
Crackdown, the people involved in the drug trade are generally more cautious.

"I'm not naive enough to believe that this will shut down the illicit 
drug trade in the community," he explains.

"But at least these people know there will be consequences."

However, in relative terms, crack and cocaine use in Peterborough is 
"not really worse than any other community," adds Sgt. Streeter.

And although the magnitude of the recent busts might alarm some 
people, those who work in addiction services are not at all shocked.

"I'm surprised at the level of astonishment that's being expressed," 
says Patricia Knapp, director of social services with the City.

"This is not a new problem and it's not a small problem."

She believes early intervention is the key to reducing drug use.

"The real question is, what causes them to become addicted?" asks Ms Knapp.

"There are many, many factors."

The department of social services directs people to agencies in the 
community that can help people find jobs, homes, food and counseling; 
all of which can help people get their lives on track, she says.

"Detox is intervention that comes after the fact," says Ms Knapp.

"And, although the more services the better, our concern is equally 
on the prevention end."

With prevention and reduction in mind, the Peterborough police 
started a substance abuse community mobilization initiative last 
March, says Deputy Chief Ken Jackman.

"It was spearheaded by police and involves 25-plus community 
stakeholders," he says.

The goal is to address drug use from different educational and 
service perspectives, not just law enforcement.

Ms Shaughnessy commends this effort.

"Ken [Jackman] is very supportive of the community," she says.

"And I think the police are doing their job."

However, she says the problem extends beyond what police can do, 
because drugs will always be available. And sometimes it extends 
beyond what counselling alone can do, because addiction is so powerful.

"If two crack houses get busted today, there will be five more open 
tomorrow. We're never going to get rid of drugs," Ms Shaughnessy explains.

"But we can diminish the demand."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine