° NEWS photo Mike Wakefield WHEN ONE member of a family has a substance abuse problem, it affects the whole family system. Adah Miller, executive director of the Seaview Drug and Alcohol Program in West Vancouver, and her staff provide individual and family therapy free of charge. Alcoholics don’t only come from Skid Row NOT EVERYONE with an alcohol problem is a stereotypical Skid Row derelict. In fact, that image is appropriate only about .three per cent of the time. But Adah Miller, executive direc- tor of the Seaview Alcohol and Drug Program in West Van- couver, says people sometimes cl- ing to that stereotype to prove that, since they aren’t like that, they aren't really alcoholics. In a community like West Van- couver, she says, it’s easier to keep substance abuse problems hidden. ‘‘The bottom is much harder to hit when you're cush- ioned by the family job, money, and so on.... (but we want people West Van has its share of alcohol abuse to know) they don’t have to reach the bottom of the barrel any more before they seek help:”’ She says people are starting to enter treatment programs at an earlier age now, but while she is encouraged by this trend she asks ‘““How can we serve these extra people?’” Already the Seaview clinic has a six-week waiting list, and Miller .. FOR HELP WITH « Relationship breakdowns * Alcohol/Drug problems © Emotional! distress * Parenting issues © Financial concerns e Legal problems ri BCRAIL EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Call in confidence 984-5247 doesn’t expect to receive added funding that would allow her to hire more counselling staff. “Thank heavens for the selff- help groups,”’ she says, noting that there are a large number of organizations such as Alcuholics Anonymous, Codependents Anonymous and Narcotics Anon- ymous on the North Shore. Funded by the provinciai Ministry of Labor and Consumer Services and offering free services to local residents, the program’s clients usually fall into the 20 to 50 age group. Miller is hoping to institute programs that reach out to youth and seniors, who often don’t seek help on their own. The Seaview clinic is open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 926-9260. Sunday. November 4, 1990 - North Shore News — 27 We specialize in books and tapes on addiction, aicoholisrn, adult children of alcoholics, sexual abuse, relationships and much more. We clso provide free information and speaker nights. We're here when you need us so drop by or give us a cali The Serenity Shop. “Your Personal Growth Bookstore” 228 LONSCALE AVENUE N. VANCOUVER, BC. (604} 987-8726 33 WEST BROADWAY VANCOUVER, BC. (604) 873-3533 ALCOHOL - DRUG « CO-DEPENDENCY PROBLEM? AN INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM * Professional Substance Abuse Counsellors and Therapists * Strictly confidential Phone N. Shore 980-8499 Vancouver 731-7737 Surrey 589-7080 EXPERIENCE The Responsibility is YOUIS. 1-800-663-1441 Davies PHARMACY GRANT FORSYTH 145 West 16th North Vancouver 987-4411 SERVING THE NORTH SHORE FOR 16 YEARS Specializing in Medical, Ostomy and Diabetic Supplies FREE PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY : ag DARYL WING 1401 Si. Georges North Vancouver § 985-8771