Pubdate: Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Dale Bass
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

MAYENCOURT HERE TOMORROW

Grit MLA To Give Early Morning Talk On 'Fifth Pillar' Of Addiction

Lorne Mayencourt has a dream.

It's not a simple dream for the Vancouver-Burrard Liberal MLA.

Rather, it's the goal to solve the dual problem of the homeless and 
the addicted in British Columbia.

And, to that, he has looked to Italy and a residential-treatment 
program in San Patrignano.

Mayencourt will discuss what he learned during a visit there at a 
presentation tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. at the Coast Canadian Inn.

San Patrignano is home to 2,200 recovering drug addicts who live 
there from three to five years.

While they work on their recovery, they learn a trade and how to be 
part of and contribute to a community.

Through the program, "the recovering drug addict understands that 
they have value," Mayencourt said.

He discussed the program -- which claims a 75 per cent success rate 
- -- during a session of the legislature in November, when he said he 
believes the program presents a model to be used in B.C.

At the time, he noted the province has adopted "a four-pillars 
approach to alcohol and drug addictions: harm reduction, prevention, 
treatment and enforcement.

"Today, I'd like to speak about a fifth pillar, a pillar called hope.

"I believe the San Patrignano model represents much-needed hope to 
address the drug addiction and homelessness that continue to cripple 
our cities and towns."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman