Pubdate: Sun, 09 Sep 2007 Source: Penticton Western (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Penticton Western Contact: http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310 Author: Tracy Clark TREATMENT CENTRE PLANNED FOR KEREMEOS A new residential treatment centre opening in the Keremeos area is good news say those impacted by the project. "At present I am struggling to find any negatives," said Joe Nitsch, regional director for rural Keremeos, where the 42-bed centre known as The Crossing will be located. The facility, a public-private partnership announced by Health Minister George Abbott this week, is the first of its kind in the province where youth will receive long-term residential treatment for addictions. Don Duncan, medical director for mental health and addiction with Interior Health, said while the majority of youth with addictions require a shorter term treatment, pointing out that IHA recently added six short-term treatment beds for youth, the option for those who need a residential program has previously been missing from B.C. "It is a recognized gap in service," he said, adding that IHA has seen increased need for youth addictions services. The Central City Foundation and From Grief to Action, a parent support and advocacy group, have been working with the province and health authorities to create the program. CCF will be donating the 58-acre property and leading the $6 million fundraising campaign for the facility, while the province will pick up the $2.4 million operating costs for the facility. Peter Spencer, a board member with CCF, said the foundation purchased the property in hopes of "jump-starting" a residential treatment centre like The Crossing. Jennifer Johnstone, president of the CCF, said the facility will provide an intense therapeutic residential community program for youth ages 14-24 that will include counselling, peer support and offer schooling. It will allow youth to "live drug free and turn their lives around," she said. Keremeos was the right area for the facility because of its "tranquil and therapeutic" location in a mountainous valley, located next to the Similkameen River . "There is a long history of the natural environment as a place for healing and recovery," said Johnstone, adding that the centre also takes youth out of urban centres, but is still accessible for families. While Johnstone said she recognizes that the surrounding community might have some concerns about the centre, the Portage Program for Drug Dependencies, the agency hired to run the facility has a proven track record. "It's a proven system that has been going on for more than 20 years," agreed Nitsch, who along with other local politicians met with civic leaders from Ontario and Quebec where Portage operates similar programs. An initial concern, that Nitsch expects some residents will share, is that the program might bring drugs or drug users into the community. However, because the program is voluntary, people who are taking part want to improve their lives and can leave anytime. "These people want to change their life in a positive way," he said, adding that the other communities also did not see additional stresses on their local health care system as a result of the programs. In contrast, Nitsch said the program has had positive economic benefits on other areas where it has operated, as the facility will bring in as many as 20 professional staff who may live in the area. Renovation of the centre, which is expected to be completed by next summer, will also provide jobs in the community. Similkameen residents will be able to find out more about the centre at an upcoming public meeting. A date has yet to be set. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart