Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 19/99) - Although day-to-day activities of staff and clients at Northern Addiction's adult treatment centre in Dettah are continuing as scheduled, the centre's operations are technically on hold.

The centre, which is scheduled to undergo major restructuring starting March 31, won't be taking any new client applications until the restructuring process is completed. Clients presently in the program will have reached the end of their 35-day treatment by the end of the month, but will not be offered any follow up programs through the centre upon their completion.

Norman Yakeleya, the centre's executive director, is on the working group formed to discuss and recommend changes for programming at NAS. Other members include representatives from various community organizations including the Tree of Peace, the Yellowknife Women's Centre, the Salvation Army as well as regional and community health boards.

Yakeleya said that although he has an idea of the changes that the group could recommend, ultimately the programming and funding decisions will be made by the Department of Health and Social Services.

"We (the working group) have been meeting on a weekly basis. We had a workshop last week. Some of the things (the group) is looking at is family healing, gender specific programs, women's programs and incorporating trauma (treatment). Also, it's looking at how the communities and treatment centre can work together to better serve the needs of the people in the community."

The working group will compile their recommendations for NAS in the form of an options paper before the end of the month. The paper will then be presented at the regular meeting of the CEO's from the regional and community health boards at the end of the month. The CEO's will review the options paper and present their recommendations to the Department of Health and Social Services. A strategy will then be drawn up outlining the new programs, services and how they will be implemented.