Symposium aims to highlight unique form of drug treatment

By Dustin Walker, Daily News February 13, 2012

Nanaimo will host Canada's first symposium on therapeutic communities next month, which aims to inspire people with stories about this unique form of addictions treatment.

The event comes after Nanaimo's John Howard Society established the Vancouver Island Therapeutic Community last fall, an innovative new program where 20 men live and work together under a single roof while supporting each other's sobriety. The model offers a different way of looking at addiction: rather than having clients simply kick their habits, therapeutic communities aim to address the deep-rooted issue that lurk behind residents' behaviours. That means providing counselling, education and a supportive community.

The National Therapeutic Community Symposium, which runs March 5-8 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, is expected to attract up to 200 social and mental health workers in addition to anyone else interested in learning more about the treatment model.

"There's a message of hope here," said France Tellier, director of programs at Nanaimo's John Howard Society, who is also the lead organizer for the symposium.

"This is a program that has shown success around the world. We certainly hope that others will see that and give it a try."

The local John Howard Society and Nanaimo Addiction Foundation, which are hosting the event, also hope that a national therapeutic community association will be formed following the event. This group would advocate and raise awareness of this treatment model while allowing members to share ideas.

The event will also feature a number of keynote speakers with backgrounds in therapeutic communities.

More information about the event is available at www.canadatc.com.

DWalker@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4244 © Copyright (c) Postmedia News