New Hope Official Opening Tomorrow

Sunday, January 13, 2008 06:20 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The community referred to as "New Hope" will be officially opened tomorrow. The community is located about 40 kms southwest of Prince George, and to locals, it is the former Baldy Hughes Forces Base, and more recently the Moose Springs Resort.

There are already 8 new residents at the community which is officially called the Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community. Five are from Prince George, three from the lower mainland. Within three years there will be 500 people living, and recovering at the site.

The idea is that long term treatment for those suffereng from addictions, is far more effective than the short term programs offered in the Province.

Long term care has a 75% success rate, while existing programs in B.C. have a rate of just 15%.

The program at Baldy Hughes will be run by the Central City Foundation and Portage, a Montreal based company that operates several facilities in easter Canada. Portage sates on its website that states its goals as follows:

"The goal of the Portage program is to encourage the personal growth of users. It is based on the therapeutic community approach, positive psychology, and individual case management.

Through its residential programs, Portage provides a psychologically and physically safe environment where users are well supported by their peers and staff who provide the necessary psychological support.

In this caring environment, users develop self-confidence and social skills in order to take responsibility for their actions. They live in a “community” where lifestyle and obligations are shared, and where they learn to respect each other’s individuality."

Details on the program length, and funding will be provided tomorrow.

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Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 06:20 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Don Mackenzie on January 13 2008 11:08 AM

I wonder how long the Rod and Gun Club can Keep their Rifle range, Now that we have low lifes living just up the road. Are they going to outlaw Hunting in THE BALDY HUGHES AREA.. Law abiding Citizens with Firearms around Lowlifes, will the Goverment allow that, I DO NOT THINK SO ... 1/2 Hr to 1HR for the Police to get out there... the Drug Dealers of PG are giong to get Richer. The Vancouver Downtown East side will be clean for 2010

Posted by: Harbinger on January 13 2008 11:48 AM

New opening? How grand! I might show up if I don't have to donate a non-perishable drug item.

Posted by: DPJ on January 13 2008 12:01 PM

hope the best for the community

Posted by: diplomat on January 13 2008 12:13 PM

Drug addiction and the need for cure are realities.

Local diversification is our goal and this fits in very well with our other assets, like the medical program at UNBC and the Regional Hospital.

500 residents will provide job opportunities for many P.G. citizens.

The staff of Central City Foundation and Portage will no doubt include security personnel and other highly skilled professionals.

May it be a successful venture!

Posted by: BCRacer on January 13 2008 12:21 PM

So this is probably why Campbell and Les are coming to PG...not for the ice floods.

Posted by: owl on January 13 2008 12:58 PM

"low lifes living just up the road"

I see ........ with that type of attitude I am sure there will be peace and harmony in the area. I am hoping that the president and directors of the club have a bit more of an accommodating attitude and that Don M's opinion is not representative of the club.

Posted by: opinionated on January 13 2008 2:59 PM

Don K should crawl back under the rock her came out from. Time to take a reality pill. Would would he rather do with these folks, toss them on a deserted island?

Posted by: Palopu on January 13 2008 6:14 PM

Details on length of program and funding will be provided to-morrow. These are the numbers that I want to see.

While this whole concept has merit, I question the timing of it (2010 Olympics) and the fact it is being run by a lower mainland charitible organization, with obvious connections to the Provincial Government. We need to know:

(1) Who is funding this program, how are they funding it, what if any money is being paid by the client. Ie; Is the client on welfare, and is a portion of his welfare being used to pay for the cost of his re-hab, etc;

(2) Is this facility restricted to residences of British Columbia or is it Canada Wide.

(3) Is the Government going to bring in some kind of legislation that would force people into this program, rather than go to jail.

(4) If clients are free to leave at anytime will they be returned to the location from whence they came, or will they simply walk or ride into Prince George and become part of our problem.

(5) These people will require medical attention. Given the shortage of doctors in the area it is highly unlikely that there will be resident doctors at Baldy Hughes. This means bussing on a continual basis, and of course more cost.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 13 2008 7:50 PM

All good questions Palopu.
I don't have a issue with the facility as it stands,but I do have to wonder why there was so little information on it?
What about the residents who live in the area?
What were they told if anything.
I also have an issue with shipping Vancouvers problems up to this area.
And what about Prince George and other northern areas?
Are they eligible too?
I guess we will find out tomorrow.
Gee...I wonder if Gordon will be there?

Posted by: pisspulper on January 14 2008 8:32 AM

Certainly best wishes are in order for the Baldy Hughes Community, and may it's inhabitants recover and return to society. Sadly though, no interest was ever put forth pre-2010 Olympics, so i have to agree that this is a Vancouver East End purge. This had started years ago, albeit subtly, many new faces appear in your community, unemployed, addicted faces, rewarded with cheaper living costs (more cash in your pocket) to continue the lifestlye with no real medical or pyschogical support. So what we are essentially telling the world is that we don't really care about these persons, rather we'd just prefer you didn't see them. Land and real estate in the lower mainland is far more valued than suited for this kind of community. Is this the kind of economic diversification the North was expecting? Perhaps you would also be an excellent centralized location for a maximum security prison. Relocating a heroin addict from their nest to facilitate methadone substitution rarely works, so i would guess most would leave and return to the source. Now with no place to live at, you just create another problem. There is no question that this form of program is needed and has merit. I reiterate these questions to the government. Why now? Why is an eastern outfit managing this community? BC jobs stay in BC.