Correctional center becomes treatment facility

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St. Paul Correctional Center will be turned into a drug and alcohol treatment facility for young offenders. It's the first of its kind in the province dedicated to treatment.

Poundmaker's Lodge will be providing a drug and alcohol treatment programs at the facility. John Szumlas, executive assistant to Solicitor General Richard Fowler, said substance abuse has become a phenomenon among young offenders many of whom are Native.

The decision was based on a surplus of beds for adult offenders and a shortage of space for young offenders. the Young Offenders Act prohibits the government from housing young offenders with adults. There is no facility for young offenders in northeastern Alberta.

A majority of the 30-35 beds in the new facility will be dedicated to young offenders in the system ranging in age from 12-18, who are substance abusers. An education program will be offered along with the treatment program.

St. Paul Chamber of Commerce president Larry Langager attended an information meeting in St. Paul with Fowler but remains uncertain about the pending charges.

"We are losing an entity, an asset to the community," said Langager. "We're concerned about what is going to happen to staff."

He feels strongly the Chamber should have had some say in the decision and is still pushing for input.

The way it was dropped on the town and that it hasn't been fully explained has caused a lot of concern among town residents, said Langager.

"There is some concern about a younger group of people not being as responsible. Some are concerned about the drop-in treatment portion of it," he said. "One concern is nobody really knows about Poundmaker's. For instance Blue Quills is having internal problems. Our experience with Blue Quills is there's turmoil. People have to be shown what is proposed. It all seems from the fact we really don't have this information."

Saddle Lake Counseling Services director Ruth Morin was elated when she heard about the proposed center.

"Right now for youth treatment, Poundmaker's may take them with an adult or they have to go to Saskatchewan," said Morin. "To have one within 25 kilometers would be just great."

Morin and her husband operate the only open custody home in the province.

"We haven't been at it long but every one we've had has been related to alcohol," she said. "These are unfortunate kids, who have had a hard time of things and they get blamed." She feels they would be of no threat to town residents.

A public information meeting with officials from Poundmaker's, the town and the office of the solicitor general is being set up. Langager hopes this will clear the air.

Poundmaker's officials were unavailable for comment.