Pubdate: Sat, 17 Nov 2007
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Jenn Marshall

CITY'S DRUG PROBLEM REMAINS STEADY

Nanaimo Has A Ready, Accessible Supply Of Illegal Drugs.

Nanaimo RCMP Cpl. Linda Stratton, head of the municipal drug unit, 
said police are seeing several different drug markets doing business 
in the Harbour City.

The most visible is the downtown open-air drug market, where users 
can find mostly crack cocaine and heroin. There are also what 
Stratton refers to as 'crack shacks' and drug houses, peppered 
throughout the city.

"These become one-stop drug shopping, where you can get almost 
anything," she said.

In the bar scene, drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana are 
easily obtained.

A fourth market comes from marijuana grow operations. Stratton said 
police must focus their resources on both the drug houses and grow 
ops, the downtown core, and the suppliers roaming the rest of the city.

"Every member that is here is involved," said Stratton, adding her 
unit consists of six members dedicated specifically to drug offences.

"To investigate a grow, we usually count on the public, they're 
usually our first line. Then we go from there."

Services devoted to helping those who are addicted are a key part of 
the community.

Marg Fraser, Vancouver Island Health Authority manager of mental 
health and addiction services for Nanaimo, said she has a downtown 
team of two nurses dedicated to outreach work with drug addicts five 
days a week.

"The major drug that my downtown team is seeing is crack cocaine," 
she said. "They are kind of engaging with people out there on the 
street. It can take weeks, months to really build relationships."

VIHA provides 14 medical detoxification beds through a contract with 
Clearview Detoxification Clinic, where the majority of patients are 
treated for alcohol abuse, said Fraser.

The health authority also has an alcohol and drug outpatient 
counselling service, 10 crisis beds in a supported-living house and 
contracts with Nanaimo Addiction Resource for Families to provide a 
needle exchange service.

The Salvation Army's New Hope Centre offers 16 supported-living 
apartments for people with mental health or drug issues. For youth, 
the Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention/Treatment Society provides 
intensive counselling programs.

Deborah Matchett, executive director, said patients ADAPT sees are 
mostly multi-substance users, with alcohol being the number one drug 
of choice, followed closely by marijuana and cocaine.

On top of the outpatient counselling offered by six counsellors, 
ADAPT sends counsellors into high schools once a week.

There are also programs for youth who are dealing with a family 
member who has a substance abuse problem and programs for families 
trying to help a teen through addiction.

"I think that if kids are seeking service and wanting to get help, 
the services are here," said Matchett.

She said also in Nanaimo are two detoxification beds and four 
stabilization beds just for youth.

On top of these services, Haven Society offers supportive housing for 
women committed to recovery, Tillicum Haus Native Friendship Centre 
offers addiction counselling and support with an Aboriginal focus and 
John Howard Society has two addiction treatment programs.

France Tellier, director of programs at John Howard Society, said the 
society provides support for inmates at Nanaimo Correctional Centre 
as well as a 12-bed transitional program for people in recovery.

Tellier is also administrator of Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action 
Committee, made up of groups who provide addiction treatment.

"We get together, we discuss the services in Nanaimo and how we can 
help each other to provide better services for the clients. It's a 
really good opportunity to get together as a group and have a voice."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart