In Canada studies have been conducted by CCSA, The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, which relay the following rather alarming facts regarding addiction to drugs or alcohol. Approximately 1,900 or 6.1 % of People from the Yukon are binge drinkers, who regularly consume a harmful amount of alcohol and are dependant on alcohol. The same studies indicate that 1.8% or 550 People from the Yukon are dependant on illicit drugs like cocaine, crack, prescription medication or ecstasy. Marijuana is also heavily abused in the Yukon.
In order to be admitted to one of the Yukon’s government sponsored residential programs one must first appear in person to have an assessment done and then be recommended to one of the facilities where there is an average of a two to four week waiting list, and one must have been abstinent from all drugs and alcohol for at least one week to be admitted.
Being that Yukon is a territory that’s population is spread over a vast area this means that depending on where a person lives they may be required to travel some distance in order to receive addictions services, for example there is not a single withdrawal management facility servicing the entire territory which makes it impossible to safely detox with out traveling to another province or territory.
In summary, there are approximately 2,500 People from the Yukon in need of detoxification, intervention, and drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs, coupled with ongoing after care. There are no Detox facilities and only 1 residential facility which can accommodate approximately 40 addicts bringing the total number of available Government funded beds to approximately 40 beds to be divided amongst the 2,500 that need treatment. Of the 11 facilities located in the Yukon 8 are out patient programs that offer very little support to alcoholics and addicts. There is scarcely enough treatment to make a serious dent in the current addiction problem plaguing this Territory.
All statistical info can be researched at: The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
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