Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Mel McLean VICTORIA NEEDS MORE DETOX BEDS With the debate over needle drop boxes and safe-injection sites, the City of Victoria is overlooking the key issue in helping addicts. Victoria has five detox beds, and a wait-list time line that most people looking for help can't abide. The only other treatment centres on the south Island are private facilities that cost upwards of $20,000 a month. To gain admission into Victoria Detox, one must get a refferal from a doctor. One must also have a telephone so that Victoria Detox can contact you when a bed is available. Victoria Detox also suggests those on the waiting list call them daily to check their status. The wait can be up to a staggering six weeks! There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of doctor visits and a lot of red tape to gain access to a program that's meant to help addicts. Many addicts don't have the inclination to fight to get into the program. After reaching out for help and being told it can take up to six weeks to gain admission, they give up and and some may even die. If we really want to help people and, conversely, clean up the downtown area, why not make help available? We don't need needle drop boxes, and we don't need safe injection sites, these items only enable addicts to continue using. We need to reach out and offer people an option for life beyond their addictions. Mel McLean, Victoria. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman