MORE STAFF, STOREFRONT FOR ADDICTION SERVICES

Yesterday Chilliwack Addictions and Prevention Services opened its doors in the community.

CAPS, operated by the Pacific Community Resources Society, will be operating under a recently announced one-year contract with the Fraser Health Authority to provide addiction and prevention services to the residents of Chilliwack.

Although the society is not new to the community its mandate has changed.  For the past 10 years it offered youth outreach and intervention services under the banner of Nisha Family and Children's Services Society.

This new contract means more staff-a total of six-and a storefront office.

Chilliwack Addiction and Prevention Services will offer a school-based prevention worker, a youth worker whose focus is on alternate schools and an intervention treatment worker as well as an aboriginal worker to work with off-reserve adults and two clinic addiction workers.

Tom Hetherington, manager of addiction services for the Pacific Community Resources Society, notes the services will be similar to what were previously offered under CADS.

"We hope to build on their work," Hetherington said.  "Some of the differences might be putting more of an emphasis on prevention .  .  .  and more outreach particularly into already existing programs .  .  .  So rather than just seeing people in offices we are trying to go where the people are a little more." There will also be a greater emphasis on group work and less on one-on-one counselling.

Hetherington is in the process of hiring staff.  The office won't officially open until June 9.  Staff will take emergency calls in the interim.