There has been a great deal of coverage on Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community in the Citizen over the past two weeks and these reports have led to some speculation about the future of this important addiction treatment program.
As the founder of this project and a very interested observer I feel that it's important to clear the air and address any on-going confusion and concern in the community.
First and foremost, the Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment program continues to be a leader in its field. In a recent three-year evaluation by UNBC it was reported that their success rates are four times greater than any comparable program offered in our province.
Since it's opening, men from around the province have come to live at Baldy Hughes, and each week they celebrate the graduation of one or more of these men from the program. That continues this month with fully 10 per cent of the residents celebrating their "one-year cake." This is something we can all be proud of.
Three and a half years ago the good people of Prince George took a leap of faith and welcomed the first four residents to Baldy Hughes. Together with the city they have created an exceptional program and they will continue that work together.
I know that the board has welcomed board members from the North. Unfortunately, last week we lost one of those highly valued northern representatives, Selen Alpay. While I'm sad that Selen has left I understand from him directly that he will continue to support the program.
I'm told there are a number of capable candidates from the region that are being considered as a result of nominations from the community.
Going forward, we should remember that the programs we offer have evolved over the past three years as the result of a collaborative effort and they will continue to do so. While many of Marshall's talents will be missed the success of our program is the result of the combined efforts of our entire team.
Thanks to Marshall's work we have a highly trained professional staff that is the pride of the north. This dedicated team of counselors, community stakeholders, and board members have contributed time, money and kindness to ensure the long-term success of Baldy Hughes.
Included in this group are Brian Fehr of BID Construction, Tom Sentes of Wood Wheaton, Selen Alpay of Canadian Tire, Peter Goudal of the Prince George School District, Pat Millsap of Rona Hardware and notably Solicitor General Shirley Bond, Marshall Smith and Kevin England.
It is no accident that nearly three hundred men have bravely left the streets, a life of crime and substance abuse.
It is because of the efforts these northerners, and southerners.
Each has contributed mightily to the success of this ground breaking therapeutic community model centered in Prince George. I thank them all. I am proud of each of them and I will support them as they continue to advance the cause of better addiction services for all British Columbians.
I remember that as a result of the praise from community leaders in Prince George and other northern communities, the provincial government fulfilled a long-standing commitment to purchase the property. The province has leased this property to the BC New Hope Recovery Society for a nominal sum.
This reduced the society's costs by $250,000 annually and allowed them to expand their services and programs that help these men stay clean and sober. The province doesn't intend to micromanage Baldy Hughes. They want Baldy Hughes to continue to undertake innovative projects and become self-sustaining, and I know they will.
We must all recognize and acknowledge the challenge this type of community work entails, address those challenges openly, and continue the vitally important work that we all began in December of 2007.
Lorne Mayencourt
