Daily News, Front page, headline story
MOMENTUM GATHERING TO SAVE ATLAS DRUG ADDICTION FACILITY-- After a community forum in Terrace, advocates for a Youth Treatment facility in that city are hopeful of a positive outcome from the discussions on closing the centre.
As we outlined on the blog on Monday, the government of Canada makes its plans to legislate CN workers back on the job this week, the Daily outlines some of the background on that decision.
The Spirit Square project is underway at Mariner's Park as city work crews begin the process of constructing a new stage area and improving the drainage in the area.
Basketball is the focus of the Sports section from the start of the high school season, to some developments from the All Native tournament.
(Daily News Archive Articles links for December 1st )
The Northern View
Prince Rupert Secondary School teachers outline concerns about closure, configuration discussions-- The Northern View publishes an open letter from teachers at Prince Rupert Secondary School, addressed to the School District trustees outlining their thoughts and concerns on the current configuration debate (see article here)
The Northern View
Council reducing the amount of money for community grants -- The weekly catches up with some of the happenings from last weeks council meeting (see article here)
Nisga’a Lisims president passes away at 60-- With the passing of the President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, the Northern view provides a review of his life and times (see article here)
The Northern View
Northern Adventure design debated -- Some more fallout from the aborted sailing of the Northern Adventure, as the Northern View outlines some of the design concerns over the vessel and its suitability for Northern BC waters (see article here)
The Northern View
Despite decline, H1N1 claims four more lives -- An update on the status of H1N1 cases in British Columbia, which while apparently in decline still is claiming lives in the province (see article here)
The Northern View
Port receiving $3 million for infrastructure -- The Northern View provides some background on the recent announcement of federal money for Port infrastructure, including some details on what that money will be used for (see article here)
The Northern View
Group discusses Asia Pacific economy at City Hall meeting -- They were discussing Asian economic opportunity at City Hall on Saturday, as Conservative MP John Weston, here for the Port financing announcement, met with local business and government leaders. The meeting which doesn't appear to have been widely advertised in the community examined some of the opportunities that could be available to the Northwest from trade with China and other Asian nations (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News
Nelson Leeson Memorial -- Details of the memorial service in Prince Rupert on Tuesday night for Nisga'a Lisims President Nelson Leeson. (see article here)
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Sahar Nassimdoost's video report on the Leeson Memorial
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CFTK TV 7 News
Stolen ATV's-- Prince Rupert RCMP continue to investigate the theft of a trailer and two ATV's from the Kootenay Avenue area (see article here)
CBC British Columbia, Daybreak North
No items for Tuesday were updated on the CBC Daybreak website
Daily News, Front page, headline story
Momentum gathering to save ATLAS drug addiction facility
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A community forum held in Terrace last week regarding the future of the ATLAS Youth Treatment Facility left organizers feeling buoyed.
Around 30 to 35 people attended the forum, including three city councilors, representatives from NDP MLA Robin Austin’s office, an RCMP officer, several ATLAS staff members, parents of teens that are struggling with addiction and two people that had been through the program.
One of those people that had been through the program, an 18-year old woman, told the group she had been able to get off drugs because of ATLAS.
“We had a good turn out and we’re hoping for the best,” said Mike Clarke, Vice President of the B.C. Government and Service Employee’s Union and moderator for the forum.
Now the group intends to get its name on the list to make a presentation in Prince George to Northern Health on Dec. 14.
“We are going to collect stories from people that have been helped with the programs at ATLAS that have resulted in helping reduce or stop addictions,” explained Clarke.
“Through a message board online or anything virtual, we will let people know what’s going on.”
The group is setting up a Facebook site and a steering committee to help looking at other ways of gathering stories.
Brenton Walters of the BCGEU Research and Campaigns said, “There was a lot of energy in the room, and some great ideas on how we can move forward on the issue. The community is not giving up on ATLAS.”
BCGEU communications manager, Teresa Marshall, said the union has committed itself to ATLAS because there are union members working at the facility and for the larger membership who are using the services.
“We are committed to making sure public services remain and ATLAS fills an urgent need,” Marshall said.
“We’re hearing about a variety of cuts from health authorities, specifically targeting drug and addiction services. Over 400 youths have taken advantage of the services at ATLAS since it opened nine years ago and now they will have to drive six hours to Prince George if they need help,” Teresa Marshall said.
The announced closure date of Dec. 31 for ATLAS is one of a list of closures.
Marshall said the Step Up House in Quesnel, a five-bed facility for the severe mentally ill, is slated to close January 15. And on Vancouver Island, six regional crisis lines are being consolidated into one.
Media Relations officer for Vancouver Island Health Authority, Susan Marshall, confirmed that the contracts for the six individual crisis line providers will not be renewed after March 31, 2010.
“We have a $45 million dollar shortfall and were spending $900,000 on six different contracts with organizations running crisis lines. A bid has gone out to have one single provider to operate a crisis line. It will be a 1-800 number that will give equal access to all residents of Vancouver Island,” Susan Marshall said.
It is a plan, she added, that will ensure the system is equitable and accessible to all areas, but still be the best viable option, economically.
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