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AHS building new youth detox facility in Red Deer

Nov 15, 2018 | 11:42 AM

Red Deer is getting a new youth detox centre, Alberta Health Services announced Thursday.

Ground has already been broken at the facility which will house the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs (PChAD) program.

“Every young person deserves a safe home and a supportive environment in which to grow and thrive,” said Sarah Hoffman, Alberta’s Minister of Health. “I’m pleased we are starting construction on a facility that will provide better access to mental health and addiction services for more children and their families.”

Once complete, the new facility will replace the current temporary five-bed facility in Red Deer with an eight-bed program which will provide comprehensive assessment, detoxification, addictions counselling, health services, and 24-hour care and supervision. 

This will impact approximately 170 children and teens in central Alberta annually, up from 100 being treated by current services.

“This new build will expand addiction treatment options and enhance services by making them closer to home for more youth aged 12 to 18,” said Laurie Holt, Program Manager, Addiction and Mental Health, AHS – Central Zone. “This is good news for vulnerable youth and their families.”

AHS says the PChAD program is meant to help children and youth whose substance use has caused, or is likely to cause, significant physical, psychological or social harm to themselves or others, and who are refusing voluntary treatment.

The Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act became law in Alberta on July 1, 2006.

The location of the facility will not be disclosed so as to protect the privacy of the program’s participants. It is located, however, on AHS land.

AHS advises that crisis services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Addiction Help Line, 1-866-332-2322.