The Use of Outpatient Drug Rehabilitation Programs to Help the Drug Addicts in Newfoundland

Just because there isn’t that many people living in Newfoundland doesn't mean that there isn't a drug problem. Luckily right now the drug problem is relatively small, only about 20,000 of the residents are struggling to learn how to live with an addiction to drugs. Most of the people in Newfoundland, who are struggling to deal with a drug addicted, are addicted to Oxycontin. The trick is keeping the problem out of control.

The best way to make sure that the drug problem in Newfoundland doesn't get worse is by making sure that the people who are addicted to drugs get the help that they need. Since it is impossible for a drug addict to overcome their addiction on their own, this means that the government needs to step in and set up rehabilitation programs.

The biggest problem facing Newfoundland is that there simply aren't enough drug rehabilitation programs. There are only 12 total and 8 of those are outpatient drug rehabilitation programs. While it is good that there are some resources available, it is important that the Newfoundland government try to figure out a way that they can provide more help for the residents.

Perhaps the best thing that could happen to Newfoundland is if the government was able to come up with the funds to create additional outpatient drug rehabilitation programs. Since there is some debate about the effectiveness of outpatient programs this might not seem like the wisest solution. Most experts feel that long term residential programs are the most effective form of drug rehabilitation; however residential programs can only handle a limited amount of addicts. The outpatient programs can handle a much larger number of addicts at a time.

One of the reasons that some drug addicts do not get the treatment and counseling that they need is because the outpatient drug rehabilitation programs in Newfoundland are not accessible. The addict does not have access to transportation that they need to get to the program. When the government is considering the creation of additional outpatient programs they need to spread them throughout the province. A small outpatient drug rehabilitation program in a remote area can change lives just as effectively as a larger program in a more heavily developed area.

Creating additional outpatient drug rehabilitation programs is not the only thing the Newfoundland government should consider. They should also put some thought into extending the length of the program. Longer programs mean that the addicts will have a greater chance of overcoming their addiction. The government should try to create a program that helps the addict get into some type of post counseling treatment, something that isn't currently readily available in the less populated areas of Newfoundland.

Drug addiction is not something that affects just one person. In addition to making sure that they have additional programs that provide counseling for the loved ones of the addict, the stress of dealing with someone who is addicted to drugs can take a toll on a person's mental health.

^{Source: http://www.canadarehab.ca/drug_rehab_newfoundland.html}