Pubdate: Thu, 24 Sep 2009
Source: Outlook, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/o9Mc9WZ6
Website: http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1433

DESERVING BETTER TREATMENT

It's an ironic twist for West Coast Alternatives Society, winner of a 
2009 provincial award for excellence in addiction treatment.

The North Vancouver-based society was recently stunned to learn 
Vancouver Coastal Health is cutting $790,000 in funding, which 
amounts to 80 per cent of the group's annual operating budget.

West Coast Alternatives relies on the health authority money to run 
its innovative, award-winning programs, which help kids as young as 
two years old.

When funding dries up in January, drug and alcohol programs for 
adults, youth and children will be in dire straits.

Alan Podsadowski, the society's executive director, said the 
"devastating" loss of the group's primary operating revenue will 
force them to seek out alternative sources of funding - federal, 
municipal or corporate. The society may also investigate the 
possibility of charging client fees.

One thing is certain: any cuts to programs will have a major impact 
on North Shore residents - even if the health authority promises to 
offer in-house programs for alcohol and drug addiction.

West Coast Alternatives moved to North Van in the early 1980s because 
of the dearth of treatment options here. The society assists between 
500 and 600 local residents annually. Its waiting list is 40 to 50 
deep, with an average time of four months.

Podsadowski estimates the society has treated 10,000-plus patients 
since moving here in 1981. Many clients turn their lives around.

As such, the cost of addiction prevention and treatment is money well 
invested in the community, because the price of untreated addiction 
is vastly greater than the expense of dealing with it.

The impacts are break-ins. Broken families. Addiction-related health 
issues. The consequences burden our courts and jails.

The regional health authority is apparently willing to exchange 
short-term financial relief for what will be the community's 
long-term pain. That is unfortunate in the extreme, however, in the 
light of this myopic decision, other levels of government, private 
donors and local businesses must recognize the value of such a 
critical resource on the North Shore, and step up to fill the gap.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart