Pubdate: Sat, 18 Mar 2006
Source: Cowichan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Cowichan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Peter Rusland
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ALL-OUT WAR DECLARED ON CRYSTAL METH USE

Cowichan's war on crystal meth use among youths will be  fought by a 
new addictions worker plus access to  recovery beds in Nanaimo by early summer.

New provincial funding for the offensive was announced  Thursday by 
Health Minister George Abbott.

Vancouver Island Health Authority's share is $1.539  million of $8 
million earmarked by Victoria for  crystal-meth treatment and youth 
addiction services.

VIHA's purse will see $363,324 aimed at meth addiction  plus $1.176 
million more for all youth addictions such  as alcohol, marijuana, 
crack and other drugs.

Michelle Dartnall, VIHA's manager of youth addiction  services, says 
the idea is targeting help for local  youths during addiction 
services restructuring.

"Until now youths were seen through adult services in  the Cowichan 
Valley and we want to offer counseling  that's youth specific."

The addictions worker will be hired before June, she said.

That worker will be part of Central Island addictions  services 
spanning Duncan to Ladysmith, Nanaimo to  Parksville and Port Alberni.

"We hope the full-time person will work closely with  addictions 
prevention workers in Cowichan and with  other communities in the 
Central area," Dartnall said.

Under B.C.'s battle with the deadly drug, Valley meth  addicts can 
access a total of three community  withdrawal management beds and 
four support  stabilization beds in greater Nanaimo.

"It's our intention to develop an Island-wide network  of services 
for youths so if no beds are available in  the Central Island, 
patients can be sent to other parts  of the Island," says Dartnall.

"We want to develop services as close to home for  youths as possible."

Some money will also be used in Cowichan for education  and community 
awareness about meth.

"Any additional help with addictions is much needed,"  says Christina 
Martens, executive director of  mid-Island and Cowichan branches of 
the Canadian Mental  Health Association.

"Addictions in youths haven't had a lot of resources  aimed at them."

Dartnall says numbers of Valley meth addicts are  difficult to tally.

"You get a different percentage from police, schools  and adult 
addictions services."

While the new funds are aimed at treating addicts,  health workers 
are also attacking core reasons for dope  use, Dartnall explains.

"It's absolutely possible to get youths off crystal  meth and many 
are no longer using the substance."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom