British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Policy News Communique

As of September 30, 2001 the responsibility for Alcohol and Drug Programs, (formerly with the MCF now MCFD) Ministry of Children and Family Development has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors (MOH).

It is anticipated that the programs/contracts will pass to the Regional Health Authorities by the new fiscal year.

The following is a general overview of the scope of alcohol and drug programs and services that the Friendship Centre movement in BC currently offers and the extent of the programs and services/contracts that moved from MCFD to MOH.

SUMMARY DATA OUTSIDE VANCOUVER

Number of Friendship Centre respondents:  22/24

•  Majority of Friendship Centres offer some type of program or service related to alcohol, drug and addiction programs and services including:

 

Outreach workers – for youth, high risk	Administrative assistance
Youth, adult and family counseling	Life skills
Family violence	Youth at Risk
Workshops	Outpatient - Counseling
Health worker; Intake workers	Support recovery (beds)
Problem gambling

• Funding
• 1. 5 million dollars in  Friendship Centres A & D  Programs and Services provided throughout BC
• Currently VANCOUVER FC offers no A & D programs and services
• Currently No BC Friendship Centres receive federal funding for A & D programs
  
  

The Addictions Task Group, Kaiser Youth Foundation, the group tasked by the (former) Deputy Premier of BC to look at the issues relating to alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling published in March 2001 six recommendations on the future of the addiction services system in British Columbia.

• The 6 recommendations related to
• 1. Comprehensive strategy – evidence based
• 2. Collaborative model – ministries/agencies/communities in a coordinated way
• 3. Create a statutory body – British Columbia Addiction Council to advise government
• 4. Create ‘British Columbia Centre for the Advancement of Addiction Knowledge and Practice
• 5. Adopt a local/regional cluster-based planning process supported by 3 and 4 above
• 6. Create an Interim Addiction Council to assist government in implementing recommendations

•  The publication of the Addictions Task Group is called Weaving Threads Together; A New Approach to Address Addictions in BC, March 2001.  It is available on the BC government website at www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/addictions/publications.html