The first step is detox, three to five days at the Mount Herbert detox facility. It is largely an adult facility, but there are two beds set aside for addicted youth.
From Nov. 23, 2007:
The CBC's Nancy Russell brings us these voices of school teachers and addictions counsellors who are working to keep teenagers on P.E.I. away from drugs. (runs 5:48)Darren O'Handley, youth and family supervisor for addiction services in central P.E.I., realizes that detox is only a first step in recovery.
"We'll try to get a commitment from the person to continue on with one-on-one involvement," says O'Handley.
"One of the big things initially is having the person identify that it is a problem."
Cassidy Lake, N.B.From Nov. 23, 2007:
A tour of the Portage youth addiction facility at Cassidy Lake, N.B. (runs 7:25)The youth beds at Mount Herbert are filled sporadically. O'Handley says there may be no one in the beds for weeks, and then a series of young people could fill them.
While there are detox facilities available in Prince Edward Island, for serious, long-term recovery Island teenagers have to leave the province, most often going to the Portage centre at Cassidy Lake in New Brunswick.
There have been 40 Island youth through the Portage program in the last few years. At Portage, the focus is taken off drugs, and moves toward the problems that led to the drug abuse.
"We don't talk about drugs, really. We talk about bettering yourselves," says Joe Gallant, a 19-year-old from Souris who has spent the last several months at Portage.
Cassidy Lake, N.B.The program at Portage is largely about youth helping each other, sharing their experiences, and getting through the toughest parts of overcoming addiction together. The idea turns the problem on its head, exerting positive peer pressure when negative peer pressure is so often a big part of why these young people turned to drugs.
"Whenever I would use drugs I felt good enough, and I felt accepted," said Hailey Beer, a recovering addict from Charlottetown.
Cassidy Lake, N.B.Beer used drugs to fit in with new friends, but ironically the drugs themselves became her best friends.
"I would lie and cheat and steal because drugs and alcohol were my best friend. Nothing came before them. I thought that would lead me to happiness," she said.
"It's not permanent. You can't run from yourself forever."
Hailey BeerFrom Nov. 23, 2007:
Hailey Beer and her friend Natalie Lee talk about their experience of drugs and recovery. (runs 8:57)
Beer now wants to work with young people who are like she was, believing if she can stop one person from going as far down as she did — having a friend die of a drug overdose — it would make what she has been through worthwhile.
Beer and Gallant feel fortunate to have this new chance to make connections with their families again. Geordie Gould, director of the Portage centre, says not every addicted teenager is so lucky.
"There's no warranties or guarantees that come with any kind of treatment."
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CBC News stories
- Nov. 20, 2007: New addictions centre dominates forum discussion
- Oct. 10, 2007: P.E.I. welcomes federal addiction help
- July 15, 2007: Trafficker sentenced to 6½ years
- July 5, 2007: 6 arrested in drug bust on P.E.I.
External Links
- Canadian Centre On Substance AbuseStudent/Adolescent alcohol & drug use statistics
- Government of P.E.I.Adolescent Addictions Program
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