Pubdate: Fri, 26 Oct 2007
Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2007 The Telegram
Contact:  http://www.thetelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303
Author: JAMIE BAKER

'WE'LL SPEAK FOR YOU'

Group Seeks Drug Horror Stories; Issues Plea To PM

If you or your family are affected by drugs, Turnings  wants to know.

The group's co-ordinator, Ron Fitzpatrick, is issuing a  public call 
for people to bring their stories of  addiction to his organization, 
so it can turn up the  pressure on the province to establish a 
long-term drug  addictions treatment facility.

Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I. are the only  provinces that do 
not have such a facility. People from  this province requiring 
treatment for drug problems  beyond 21-days are sent to facilities on 
the mainland.

"We're asking people to just send us their stories.  They don't have 
to use their real names," Fitzpatrick  said.

"There's all kinds of need for a long-term facility  here. If we can 
get these responses then we can use  that as ammunition to plank in 
front of the premier or  the minister to show them this is a problem."

On Tuesday, The Telegram's online, unscientific "Tely  Poll" asked: 
Should the provincial government build a  long-term addictions 
treatment facility in the  province?

A total of 976 people responded to the question, with  825 - 85 per 
cent - voting "yes." Twelve per cent voted  against the idea, and 
three per cent were undecided.

"We know it's hard for people to talk about this stuff,  we know it's 
humiliating," Fitzpatrick said. "We're  saying give us your story and 
we'll see that it happens  for you - we'll speak for you."

Sharon (not her real name) knows only too well the  stress of dealing 
with a drug-addicted child. Her  15-year-old is addicted to cocaine and booze.

Sharon is among those who supports the idea of a  long-term 
addictions facility in the province.

"Look, I know there's a lot of shame attached to  something like 
this, so I can understand people being  hesitant. But if speaking out 
is what it will take to  change things, then speaking out is what we 
have to  do," she said.

"I think people might be a bit more comfortable knowing  they don't 
have to make their names public. I hope  people will come forward; We 
need all the help  we can get."

The province has said it is simply following the  recommendations of 
the 2005 OxyContin Task Force by  sending people out of the province 
for drug treatment.

Health Minister Ross Wiseman has announced, however,  that the 
province is reviewing its addictions treatment  programs.

Fitzpatrick said he's so disappointed with the  province's response 
to the drug problem that he has  written a letter to Stephen Harper, 
pleading for aid.

"Turnings is begging the prime minister of Canada to  think about 
helping us because our own government  doesn't care enough to do it," 
Fitzpatrick said,  referring to the province's program review.

"Looking into stuff don't mean nothing. We need action.

"Too many people are hurting, too many families are  being broken up, 
marriages falling apart, kids  overdosing; while these guys decide to 
have a  look at it."

Fitzpatrick said most of the people who speak out do so  because they 
have run out of answers, or have hit rock  bottom.

He hopes his call for people to come forward will reach  those who 
are only beginning to head down the  drug-paved road.

"We need everyone to speak out. Government is not going  to provide 
services and make them readily available  unless people speak out," he said.

"There is a serious drug problem in our province that  is affecting 
every man, woman and child (and) our  province is in desperate need 
of a long-term addictions  treatment facility. Turnings believes this 
is a goal  worth fighting for, so speak up, share your story of 
addictions with us."

People can call Turnings at 754-1010, e-mail   
or visit the website  www.turnings.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart