Pubdate: Sat, 14 Mar 2009
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Shelby Parker

'NOT EVERYBODY WHO USES DRUGS ARE ADDICTED'

They're aren't addicts, they're people whose lives have been affected 
substance abuse.

Cate Sutherland, executive director of the Addictions Centre for 
Hastings/Prince Edward Counties, believes stereotyping drug users as 
"addicts" does more harm than good in turning around a user's life.

"It's not accurate. What they did is not what they are," she said, 
explaining that when someone hears the word addict, they immediately 
think of the sterotypical drug user who steals, lies and will do 
anything for their next score.

"All of a sudden this person would turn into this out-of-control 
creature," she said.

"If that were true, no one would ever quit," said Sutherland. With 
the label comes a stigma.

"Not everybody who uses drugs are addicted," she said.

Sutherland believes this to her core, as do her seven counsellors at 
the Front Street headquarters of the Addictions Centre, including Mary Boyce.

Boyce said not everyone who seeks their counsel might have hit the 
Hollywood dramatic 'rock bottom', but has felt the effect of 
substance abuse in their lives.

Clients include drug users who may visit the centre when their use is 
purely experiemental, to the occasional user and regular user or 
someone who is dependent on drugs.

Sutherland explained that once a client comes in the doors, no matter 
what for, the first thing they ask is, "How can I help you?"

Both Boyce and Sutherland agreed a client must feel that this move is 
positive, and that someone is understanding of their position.

"We give an assesment, how it's impacting their life," said Boyce, 
adding the two will set goals and negotiate a treatment plan.

"I think we're doing very well," added Sutherland.

The Addictions Centre is a non-profit corporation, sponsored by the 
Local Health Integrated Network, Ministry of Corrections, Addiction 
Services Program, the local Back on Track program and Ontario Works.

Both women say they couldn't comment on whether drug use in the area 
has gone up, or that the rise in their client number has more to do 
with their own growth, with more counsellors and more recognition in the city.

"Drugs by youth has decreased in the last 10 years," said Sutherland, 
quoting the Drug Use Among Ontario Students study, completed in 2007 
by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

As well, they see that their demographics have changed in the last 10 
years, from slightly more middle-aged males (60/40) to a ratio where 
more women are coming forward. Sutherland attributes that change to 
more women feeling increasingly comfortable about seeking help.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart