[Excerpt]

The spring thaw isn’t just revealing cracks and potholes in roadways; it’s also exposing countless needles on the ground in Prince Albert. While the needles themselves are cause for alarm — they are also a blunt reminder of a much deeper social problem; the rampant use of hard drugs in Saskatchewan communities and the problems associated with addiction.

Like in all big cities, addicts in Prince Albert try to keep their drug use hidden, often ducking into alleyways or under bridges to shoot up.

Megan Belanger runs Prince Albert’s Needle Exchange program. She says the city’s problem is symptomatic of an even bigger issue: addiction.

“Quite often the stories that I hear in here from the people that I see on a regular basis is due to abuse, sexual abuse as a child, being put out on the streets as a child by family members to make money,” said Belanger.

So which hard drugs are on the streets of Prince Albert? According to the needle exchange, morphine, Dilantin and cocaine are among the most actively injected drugs.

The needles pose other serious threats. They can carry HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases, making the clean-up everyone’s problem.

The needle exchange continues to tackle that problem with drop-off boxes along city streets, but it’s a big job.

For the rest of the story go here …

http://saskatoon.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110414/sas-padrugs-110414/20110414/?hub=Saskatoon

Source: CTV News Saskatchewan

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The Victoria United Church is receiving $50,000 from the provincial government to operate a drop-in centre for persons in recovery from addictions.

The funding was announced Tuesday, April 5 by Health and Community Services Minister and Carbonear-Harbour Grace MHA Jerome Kennedy.

The funding will be used for rent, supplies and the hiring of a co-ordinator.

According to a news release, the community addiction advisory group of the Trinity-Conception area, which applied for the funding on behalf of the Victoria United Church, will evaluate the drop-in centre to determine its potential to serve as a template for other regions to support persons in recovery from addictions.

The announcement was part of a larger investment of $260,000 in one-time funding for four provincial community groups. The others include Stella Burry Community Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association-Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kennedy said the funding will help strengthen the community support system for mental health and addictions.

These groups, which provide essential mental health and addictions services and support, will use the funding for a range of projects throughout the province, he said.

“Providing the necessary support and funding for mental health and addictions services continues to be a priority for our government,” said Kennedy.

“The work done by the community groups we are supporting enhances our overall mental health and addictions services, and provides a variety of support mechanisms, unique approaches and issue specific focus to very complex and wide-ranging matters associated with mental illness and addictions.”

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For the rest of the story read …

http://www.cbncompass.ca/News/2011-04-05/article-2402260/Community-group-in-Victoria-receives-funding/1