By Angela Hill

Detox centre celebrates first birthday

Oct 18, 2010 | 7:00 AM

It has been one year since the Brief and Social Detox Centre in Prince Albert opened its doors.

In that time 2,430 people have received assistance, sometimes more than once, as they struggle with addictions.

“This is a very, very important resource in this community. A well needed resource,” said Rae Napper, an addictions counsellor at the facility.

During the past year, the facility has taken pressure off of the Prince Albert Police Service and Victoria Hospital’s emergency department.

In the first five months alone there were 278 people escorted by police to the detox centre at Victoria Hospital. These are people who would have otherwise been filing a place in the police cells.

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“I know they staff feel really good about the work that we do here, that they do here,” said Andre Letendre, manager of detox services.

From the nurses who work to ensure patients continue breathing while they deal with acute intoxication to the counsellors that help residents during their longer stays in social detox, the team works well together, he said.

The centre also works to reduce stigma in the community, said Napper.

It can be difficult to track down clients once they leave – often the staff doesn’t ever find out what happens to the people they see.

“It’s hard to keep that information or get that information, I guess it’s our hope that we have planted a seed here and they’re going to make some (positive) choices,” Napper said.

But sometimes word filters back, said Letendre.

“We have one client who came in, detoxed, went into treatment and it ‘gung ho’ to stay sober and straight for two years so she get can get into counselling. That’s amazing really, it’s all little steps those are the successes and we see them,” he said.

There was much to overcome in the first year, including a fire in the facility as well as issues around drug smuggling.

With a pair of outside eyes to do the appraisal they were able to change intake procedures to stop any further issues.

Letentre said that for the most part it is all people who genuinely want help that go to the centre now.

ahill@rawlco.com