Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Authors: Tom Littlewood and Barbara Coates,
Page: 16

OUNCE OF ADDICTION PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE

Re: Opioid rouletter, Dec. 19

Research has shown that almost all addiction, as well many incidents
of depression and anxiety, is trauma-based. Between the ages of 15 and
25, youth begin to react to this trauma through acting out,
depression, anxiety, and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. This
behaviour is a dysfunctional attempt to mask their pain from the
trauma. They are then further stigmatized by society, which labels
them as weak, immoral, or worst of all, criminal.

Harm reduction is one pillar, but we need to pay equal, if not more,
attention to prevention. Therapy is key for these youth to gain
insight and to be empowered to leave dysfunctional behaviours behind.
Most youth will end dysfunctional coping strategies when they address
the root causes of their personal issues. Abstinence is the ultimate
goal.

There is a critical need for community and government involvement and
funding for prevention strategies. It costs a few thousand dollars to
help divert a youth before they become entrenched in addiction,
whereas the cost to society after the fact (burdens on the health
care, legal and penal systems) is in the millions.

It's time we provide intervention programs for youth when change is
not only possible and affordable but avoids the damage of addiction
experienced by the individuals, their families and
communities.

Tom Littlewood, program director, and Barbara Coates, executive
director, Dan's Legacy
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MAP posted-by: Matt