Jerot Clay

The first thing that strikes a visitor to Pacifica is that it looks like an upscale condominium development with a sand-coloured finish, tidy landscaping and tasteful lettering spelling out "Pacifica" over the front entrance. It's only when you enter the building, note the reception area and see the inner courtyard filled with men and women smoking and laughing together, that you learn its purpose.

This is Pacifica Treatment Centre, for those dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. The place functions so quietly that, when Vancouver Sun columnist Pete McMartin dropped by the 11 th and Commercial neighbourhood last September to do a story on an adjacent community garden, he was surprised to discover that Pacifica is completely supported by the surrounding residential neighbourhood. Further, Pacifica 's next-door neighbour, who spearheaded the creation of the community garden, said he welcomed Pacifica clients to work on the garden several times each week and noted that they view it as therapy.

Speaking to the Four Pillars News , Jaret Clay, Acting Executive Director at Pacifica , said in its 14 years at the East 11 th Avenue location, the treatment centre has had other positive effects on the neighbourhood. While some may think that the Vancouver Coastal Health funded centre would attract drug dealers, hoping to cash in on Pacifica 's clients' weaknesses, Clay said the reverse is true. "If anything, we've reduced the (drug-related) activity in the area."

While the nearby Broadway and Commercial Skytrain station and surrounding areas are well-known drug-dealing and drug-using locales, the laneway behind Pacifica is generally clean, Clay said. If there is drug activity, staff go out and talk to those involved. "Most people are very respectful and say they'll move on," he said, adding that most people on drugs don't want to be using drugs; they generally respect the centre's efforts and stay away.

There are three levels of treatment at the 35-bed Pacifica . Level one is for clients who have detoxed for at least two days but need to be further stabilized before tackling the 28-day treatment program. They may need some attention for health issues or require some time to get used to the treatment program's environment. They use beds vacated by those who leave before their treatment has been completed and, rather than let a bed sit empty until the next group's intake, Pacifica fills it. "We have 35 beds here; we want to make every day count," Clay said.

Level two is for participants in the 28-day treatment program. Level three is for those who have completed the program and have nowhere else to go, because recovery houses are full. They plan their next steps and play a mentoring role for those just starting the program.

With the three levels, Pacifica maximizes its capacity and meets clients' needs. In fact, most beds are filled within hours of being available, and while that shows a high level of efficiency at Pacifica it also tells Clay that the current treatment system is woefully inadequate. "If I can fill all 35 of my beds, then there's somebody who wants to be in treatment and can't."

Still, Pacifica keeps refining its program. Now, it's reaching out to a specific group of users, to meet its unique needs. Pacifica is just starting a group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) users. It's a financial risk, because it has to hire a new counselor for the group. But Clay, and Pacifica 's board, believe it's needed. "We don't expect to have any difficulties getting the demand for the program," Clay said.

He said LGBT clients tend to have specific needs; typically, they would feel more comfortable discussing issues in a separate group. "There's just a bit more potential for group members to get a bit more ahead." Counsellors working with the group would also be more prepared to deal with specific issues that could arise in the group.

But Clay sees more similarities than difference in drug and alcohol abuse. "It is everywhere at about the same level." Those with a higher income can generally hide it better but all income levels are affected. "We'll have the downtown lawyer here beside the person from the Downtown Eastside." Those living in poverty, however, have limited capacity to hide their substance abuse problems and therefore he sees more of them at Pacifica.

But Clay sees more similarities than difference in drug and alcohol abuse. "It is everywhere at about the same level." Those with a higher income can generally hide it better but all income levels are affected. "We'll have the downtown lawyer here beside the person from the Downtown Eastside."

Priority is given to pregnant women.

Clay believes passionately in treatment. "I think treatment does lead to people not using (drugs and alcohol) and/or it leads to people using a lot less." But he's saddened by the gaps in the system and would like to see an expansion of the treatment network. He said it's just common sense, because treatment is cheaper than later health or criminal justice costs; "For every $1 you spend on treatment, you save $7 to $10 down the line."

Clay stresses that he's not calling for the creation of more Pacificas but he does believe that five more drug and alcohol treatment centres could easily be filled. "You could probably offer 10 times as many before you would really start to grapple with the problem."

After observing the need for treatment, Clay is clear on the need for immediate expansion. "Never underestimate how much worse this issue could get." He sees a big wave of need from one specific group building over the next five to 10 years. "The Baby Boomers who are starting to feel the health effects of drug and alcohol abuse."

Meanwhile, Clay takes pride in Pacifica 's work when he attends events such as the annual Christmas party, when Pacifica welcomes back former clients. That's when he sees and appreciates the results of the centre's, and its clients', hard work. "You don't really get a sense of the lives you've touched until you see wall-to-wall people in here."