Mr. Herard: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m particularly proud to celebrate the 300th graduation from the Alberta Adolescent Recov-ery Centre in my constituency. Matt and his family graduated from a life of addiction, pain, and desperation to a life full of hope and new opportunities. Congratulations to Matt and family.
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Mr. Speaker, in 2005 an evaluation of the AARC program was
conducted by a noted addiction program evaluation authority, Dr. Michael Patton, PhD. He studied and interviewed 100 consecutive cases and found that 85 per cent of the graduates were still clean and sober after five years. Those are enviable results, and Dr. Dean Vause and his staff are to be congratulated. The dedication and caring of the parent support group is also commendable and a major factor in the success of the AARC program.
I’m excited to say, Mr. Speaker, that AARC is currently in the ground on an expansion project that will see their facilities double to about 70 spaces. The project, estimated to cost around $ 8 million, is more than fully funded through fundraising efforts of the board, chaired by Mrs. Ann McCaig. Congratulations to Ann, her board, and all volunteers and supporters.
AARC has rebuilt 300-
plus addicted lives and that of their
families. Well over a thousand souls have been touched. But, unfortunately, waiting lists are growing, and demand is accelerating. Addicted teens take drugs to feel good, Mr. Speaker. AARC
rebuilds self-
esteem and teaches addicts to feel good about them-selves
by harnessing the power within and sometimes external
higher powers.
Hon. members, please help me thank and honour this marvellous miracle in Calgary-
Egmont."
http://isys.assembly.ab.ca:8080/isysquery/irl194e/9/docThis is a prime example of a lie being perpetuated about AARC. Herard claims that 85% of clients are STILL clean and sober after five years, when in fact most of the clients in the study were out less than five years, and 52% had relapsed.
