Ontario Needs To Do More For Addicted Teens!
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008Yesterday on the Gary Doyle Show, he did a story about a parents coalition called Tragically O-Hip. These folks want the provincial government to provide more treatment facilities for teenagers that are addicted to drugs. Currently there are less than one hundred beds for this purpose in all of Ontario! Right now, government approved teens are sent to the U.S.A for treatment and that costs us taxpayers a fortune. We need to open teen treatment centres here. Don’t underestimate the urgency! This is growing industry unfortunately, and we have to deal with it. It also makes good financial sense to build good facilities here so that the OHIP bill is reduced.
One thing to keep in mind; you’ll need a lot of money to set this up initially, because you’ll have to allow for relapses and insight treatment. Teens have a tough time in recovery for a number of reasons. Parents need “insight courses” so they know how to help continue the treatment when the kids are released. In addition to this I believe any treatment centre that has a program that is less than sixty days is a waste of time! I know because I have been through it personally five years ago. Most people don’t even detox or “dry-out” in twenty-eight days. Just as their heads clear up they go back home without learning anything; then they fail. It’s common. The people at AA will tell you that. Rehab or Treatment Centres are great but one must remember that ultimately it’s up to the individual to stay “clean” whether they’re fifteen or fifty. People of all ages are directly “infected” and “affected” by their environment. Remember the treatment centres teach that you can’t touch any drug including the worst drug ever invented; Alcohol. It’s a tough battle, but we have to do something for our youth to give them a fighting chance.
Jeff Allan