Education Programs at PGRCC and Baldy Hughes Praised

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 07:45 PM

Prince George, B.C. – Although School District 57 is facing some significant financial challenges, one of the good stories that needs to be shared is the educational programs being offered at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre and at the Baldy Hughes Treatment Community.

The education component that’s offered at the Baldy Hughes addictions recovery centre has been hailed as a critical component of the program being offered at the former forces base.

The importance of being able to achieve their grade 12 equivalent has not been lost on the 35 residents of the facility who are enrolled in the education programs at Baldy Hughes. “”It has given me a goal” says Mark, one of the Baldy Hughes residents who will achieve his grade 12 diploma next month.

“If you take an addict, clean them up and send them back to the street with the same skill set, it is only setting people up for failure” says Sean. He had graduated from the education portion of the program and is now studying addiction psychology through McMaster University . He is also a peer tutor in math for others at Baldy Hughes “I have seen the beaten down attitude the addicts start with, but when they have these classes, and start to achieve, they start to come alive. It gives them strength to not only carry on with school but helps them beat their addiction.”

The education program first started at PGRCC, where in 2007, the program had lost $60,000 a year over three years. The program was then re- tailored to the students, and has grown from 128 Full time students, to 297 full time students. There is now a wait list for classes.

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Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 07:45 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: metalman on October 14 2009 8:22 AM

I hope to hell it works for the addicts. They aren't much good for anything, other than criminal related behaviour, and repercussions to the lives of straight people. This may be construed as a good news story, but the truth is, the proverbial horse has left the barn, and this program advocates closing the door and moving on from there. We need to prevent these girls and boys from becoming addicted in the first place, surely that would be easier than trying to 'un-addict' them. Let's start with encouraging government to become more pro-active, which may help lead us all to be less
re-active.
metalman.

Posted by: He spoke on October 14 2009 11:35 AM

its one thing to educate them about getting out of the addiction.

its one thing to give them skills other than theivery.

Its one thing to give them a place to do the programs.

But the item that is still missing is a support system on the outside to keep them off the previous addiction. someone needs to step into recognize this.

Posted by: MrPG on October 14 2009 2:25 PM

"Let's start with encouraging government to become more pro-active, which may help lead us all to be less re-active"

While we would all love the government to send out anti-addiction ambassadors to tell johnny and jane to 'just say no', it's not feasibile. The government can't solve society's problems and live people's lives for them. They can provide services, but ultimately, the addict or ex-addict has to be responsible for their own destiny. Unfortunately, taxpayers have to pay for many of these people's bad choices.

Posted by: metalman on October 14 2009 3:16 PM

I certainly understand that MrPG, and I will be the first to declare that I have no solution, but is there a chance that we can reduce addiction rates in young people? Somehow? Does making life for the criminals a lot harsher when they get caught make any sense? If crime does not pay (ya right) and if getting caught hurts a lot, will fewer stupid people turn to the peddling of drugs? If there was some way, however long it might take, to reduce the number of people becoming addicted, would it not be worthwhile to pursue that?
Spend the dollars now to save lives and dollars later? I seem to be full of questions, and have no answers.
metalman.

Posted by: jsilvera on October 14 2009 8:54 PM

Important item He spoke. Where do they go and what support is available? There are some other basic questions.

How long does the average client remain in the program? What percentage of clients relapse within 3−6 months of leaving the program? For the average client, how long is it until the first relapse? What percentage of clients recycle through the program a second time? How many clients go on to seek treatment elsewhere after leaving the program? To what extent is the program decreasing the harm that results from substance abuse, both for the clients and for those around them? Beyond its impact on substance use, what effects does the program have on the clients’ lives more generally? How much does contact with the program change the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the population it reaches? What other beneficial changes (such as reduction in adverse health consequences) occur following entry into the program?