WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1984, PAGE 9 2,900 adults m Durham are using tranquillizers regularly A permanent assessment/referral co- mmunity-based resour- ce to service the Durham Region is needed for adults with drug problems. This is one of nine recommen- dations in a report en- titled "Licit and Illicit Drug Use in the Durham Region: A Need Assessment for Treat- ment Services". The report also recommends that a community-based resi- dential or an intensive day treatment program is needed in the region for adult males. The report, prepared by the Durham Centre of the Addiction Research Foundation and funded by the Em- ployment Development Branch of Employment and Immigration Canada, recommends that such a program have medical back-up and provide psycho- social treatment. A community planning body should also be established to develop an implementation plan. Hospitals in the region can treat people with drug problems, the report says, but it is not their primary mandate. The majority of- social and medical agencies don't provide service to patients with prescrip- tion drug problems. Many patients are referred out of the region for residential treatment. Among the adult population surveyed, one in 12 adults reported. using a prescription mood modifying (psychtropic) drug in the two weeks prior to being asked. The most frequently used minor tranquillizer was valium (diazepam). About 1.5 per cent of those surveyed in Durham reported using minor tranquillizers for more than a year and on a current daily basis. This translates , into 2,900 adults within the region. The possibility of psychological and/or physical dependence with this group is con- sidered extremely high. The identified high risk users included the elderly, disabled and low income. An additional influx of a large group of highi risk prescription and illicit drug users could easily overload the existing system, the report says. It also notes that the greatest lack of services are among those living in northern communities in the region. The study recommen- ds more drug and alcohol education for the public as well as for social service and health care officials. The report says procedures for early identification of drug abuse are lacking among most health and social services. Addic- tions training would allow them to more completely respond to the specific needs of drug abusing clients, the report says. Also, the survey of the public showed there was a lack of familiarity with srevices in Durham for alcohol and drug problems. Up to date accurate infor- mation is needed to alleviate consumer con- fusion and lack of knowledge in choosing the appropriate source of help. The need fo im- proving the existing drug treatment system in Durham was based on: - an ARF survey of the region's population on alcohol and drug use and attitudes towards and knowledge of resources; - a screening of clients attending various health and social services; and, - an examination of how the services are used, a study of clients involved with the ARF drug assessment ser- vice, and a study of people who used an ARF sponsored telephone information service. Report from Queen 's Park By THE HON. GEORGE ASHE, MPP (PC - Durham West) Minister of Government Services Ontario In a statement to the Ontario Legislature on Tuesday, June 12, 1984, Premier William Davis outlined the Ontario government's proposal to ex- tend'financial support to the entire Roman Catholic school system. "While men and women of courage and conviction have been divided on this issue, up tonow, no On- tario government has felt it was able to discharge its duty according to these fundamental principles, while at the same time granting public funds to a complete Roman Catholic secondary school system. I now believe this can be responsibly undertaken and, therefore, it is our obligation to resolve this issue." The strength of Ontario's educational structure is based on the values of a universally-accessible publicly-supported school system, and the limitation on public funding of this system alone, is no longer required to sustain the viability of public education in Ontario. The implementation of the dual secondary school system will require wise administration and ad- ditional public funds. The objective of the Ontario Government will be the provision of high quality education at the lowest possible cost. The new program will be introduced at the rate of one year of secondary education for each school year, beginning September 1, 1985. A planning and implementation commission will be established to guide all parties during the transition period. The commission will be made up of represen- tatives of the Ministry of Education, the educational community at large, and the Roman Catholie com- munity. The Ontario government views a duplicationof facilities resulting from such a policy as imprac- tical, and indefensible. Implementation of the policy statement includes plans to make maximum use of existing school facilities. The planning and implementation commission will also work with the Ontario Teachers Federation, the Education Relations Commission, and others, to ensure that all personnel matters are addressed in an equitable fashion. Premier Davis summed up his remarks with a quote from Sir John A. Macdonald: "We do not want to stand on the extreme limits of our rights. We are ready to give and take. We can afford to be just; we can afford to be generous because we are strong." It was an honor to be in the Ontario Legislature on June 12 to hear this historic statement. The Ontario government's direction. was applauded generously by members of the Legislature on ail sides, and the leaders of the two opposition parties shared their parties' support of this progressive government initiative. The screening of clients at the health and social service agencies showed their psychotropic drug use was more than. three times higher than that reported among the general population. Multiple psychotropic drug use was also more common among the clients. The drugs covered in the survey we.e minor and major tranquillizers, am- phetamines, anti- depressants, sleeping pills, analgesics, and antihistamines. Ques- tions were asked on these substances because there existed a gap in the local infor- mation base on prescription drug use in the region. 15 piece Bucket Saturday & Sunday June 23rd & 24th At ail Scott's Chicken Villas %ntuckyhltiedChicken 6$1«tu 4w~ay I.