TEENAGED ADDICTS NEED ANY HELP THEY CAN GET

As a parent who is currently struggling through the hell of dealing with
the consequences of having an addicted teenage son, I read the Jan. 22
article, "Young addicts go to Alberta to get help they can't get there,"
with great interest. What I read was both touching and reminiscent of our
own struggle with the exposure of the depth of our son's problems.

On the other hand, I found some of the details regarding the lack of
addiction programs in B.C. misleading. My son is now engaged in a
residential program in the Lower Mainland for a minimum of nine weeks. This
program includes a family component. Admittedly, he had to sink pretty low
and have a probation order to get him into the program, but it sounded as
if Conrad Ahrens was far down that road, too.

I welcome the interest in bringing a program to B.C. which lasts as long as
the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre's, but I invite Gerry Bellett to
take a look at the hard work and commitment being put in by the people who
run the programs available now (e.g., The Last Door, Exodus).

Anything that exposes the growing problem our youths are experiencing with
addiction is welcome, but please make sure the facts are balanced.

Susan Haga

North Vancouver