Pubdate: Tue, 02 Dec 2008 Source: St. Paul Journal, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2008 - St. Paul Journal Contact: http://www.spjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2368 Author: Clare Gauvreau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) AADAC FOCUSES ON TREATMENT AND PREVENTION Local Office Important Resource For Community The St. Paul AADAC office invited the community in to take a look at the services and resources available through the local office during National Addictions Awareness Week Nov. 17 - 21. With a mandate to assist Albertans in achieving freedom from the harmful effects of alcohol, drugs and gambling, a visit to AADAC can often be the all-important first step someone dealing with an addiction takes, according to AADAC area supervisor Marilyn LaBrecque. The local office provides outpatient service, which involves assessing needs of clients, matching them with services including residential treatment facilities if necessary, providing counseling and directing clients to additional support through outreach groups. In addition to treatment, AADAC plays an important role in awareness and prevention, LaBrecque said. The local office has an extensive library of resources available for public use and maintains a high profile in the schools working with teachers and students on issues of addiction and encouraging students to make smart choices. "AADAC's key roles are providing information, prevention and treatment," LaBrecque said. "We have such good partnerships with the community groups and organizations. It makes our job easier and it helps the clients, too." She said it is important to recognize that the focus of AADAC is not only to work with those already dealing with an addiction, but also to assist people at risk of developing a dependency and providing support to people with a loved one who is battling addiction. "Spouses need support and we also have parents that come in that are concerned about a child or sometimes a child comes in because they are concerned about their parent. Addiction does affect more than just the person using." LaBrecque said the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act (PChAD), which came into effect in 2006, has provided parents and guardians with another way to help youth at risk in regards to drug use. The act enable courts to authorize the apprehension of youth who are abusing drugs and confine them for up to five days. During that time, the youth receives supervised detoxification and assessment. A discharge plan is established along with treatment recommendations. Alcohol continues to be the number one drug of choice in Alberta. In 2004, almost 80 per cent of Albertans over the age of 15 were current drinkers, with 21 per cent identified as heavy drinkers, according to the Social and Health Indicators of Addiction (SHIA) report released in 2006. In regards to illicit drugs, LaBrecque said the region has seen more instances of crack cocaine use over the last few years. However, cannabis continues to be the most popular illicit drug in Alberta. In 2005, 26.7 per cent of junior and senior high school students in Alberta reported having used cannabis in the previous year. The St. Paul service area ranked 23 out of 28 in terms of reported offences related to cannabis and other illicit drugs in 2004. However, St. Paul was 11th in the province for drug-related deaths in 2004, according to the SHIA report. Tobacco use is an ongoing concern, according to LaBrecque, with the St. Paul service area recording the highest death rate for tobacco-related causes in Alberta in 2004. Tobacco is identified as the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Canada. The SHIA report identified 21 per cent of Albertans 15 years and older as smokers. People interested in learning more about AADAC services can visit the St. Paul office or go online to www.aadac.com. AADAC also has a 24-hour help line at 1-866-332-2322. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin