Prince Albert Youth Drug Treatment Centre Now Open

Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 14:40

The provincial government has unveiled a new treatment facility in Prince Albert for youth addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The new centre is designed to accept as many as six patients between the ages of 12 and 19.

The facility will feature programming by both the Prince Albert Grand Council and provincial government.

Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley says the centre is only an interim measure. Construction on a bigger, 15-bed facility will begin next year.

However, he stresses the interim centre is fully functional and able to accept patients for 28 days or longer, depending on how they are doing.

Staff at the centre say workers will be on-site 24 hours a day, and strict supervision will be enforced.

No one will be taken into treatment against their will and family visits will be encouraged.