Altec Drug Services Explained.

What are altec drug services?

Altec Drug Services is a service offered to people who have been convicted of a drug-related crime. This service was created with the intent to provide assistance and support for people who suffer from addictions, but also need assistance in reintegrating into society.

What does Altec Drug Services offer?

The Altec Drug Services offer a variety of services that are tailored to the needs of each individual client. These services include life skills workshops and education, psycho-social counseling, family counseling, supported employment services, pharmacology management and substance abuse treatment. This service also provides access to housing and financial assistance while they are enrolled in the program.

Who does Altec Drug Services serve?

Altec Drug Services was created for people who have been convicted of a drug-related crime and are now trying to reintegrate into society. This service is intended to help them with their addiction and give them the tools they need to be able to live healthy, productive lives.

Who founded this service?

Altec Drug Services is part of Alouette Addiction Treatment Centres (ATC) which was originally founded in 1976 by Sister Marie Leo, FASM. ATC first opened as an addiction treatment center in Ottawa and now has additional offices located across Ontario. Throughout the years, ATC has been involved in several different programs that cater to helping people with addiction and in developing new and innovative treatment methods. Altec Drug Services is one of their most recent developments.

What are some of the common myths or concerns about this service?

The biggest myth about Altec Drug Services is that it is a just a form of community service or an alternative to prison. This isn’t true at all. It is an intensive program with several components that are designed to help people with their drug use issues, not simply punish them for committing a crime.

Where can I get more information?

Altec Drug Services is a registered service with the Ministry of Community and Social Services and offers a variety of services to people who have been convicted of drug-related crimes. To get more information or to find out if you are eligible for this service, contact the local office that is closest to you.

What are the benefits?

Altec Drug Services offers several benefits to their clients including:

· Substance abuse treatment

· Psycho-social counseling

· Life skills workshops and education

· Family counseling

· Supported employment services

· Pharmacology management and substance abuse treatment.

What is the cost?

All of these programs are free to any individual who is enrolled in Altec Drug Services. There are no out of pocket expenses for any of the services that this service offers, either with regards to housing or healthcare coverage. This program also doesn’t require a co-payment by its clientele. 

What are the drawbacks?

Although there are no co-payments or out of pocket expenses for Altec Drug Services clients, these individuals will have a long-term plan that needs to be followed. As people who have been convicted of a crime and have substance use issues, some of these individuals will not be accepted into any other programs and so they will be stuck in the Altec Drug Services program. 

How long does this service last?

Altec Drug Services offers a variety of programs and services for those individuals who need assistance with addiction and reintegration into society. The length of each individual’s enrolment depends on their needs. For example, some people need less time with their service and so they are accepted into a program that lasts for only 12 months. Others will be enrolled in a program that lasts longer and can last up to 24 months. 

How many people are enrolled in Altec Drug Services?

As of 2014, there were approximately 58,000 individuals who had been enrolled in the Altec Drug Services service since its inception. This number has increased considerably since 2009 when there were only 9,000 individuals enrolled. 

Is this service available at the local prison?

This service is not provided at the local jail or prison setting where these individuals are serving their sentence because these programs do not suit an environment for recovering addicts. Primarily because they are only separated from drugs while they are serving their sentence and when they return to the community after completing their sentence, they face great challenges in trying to stay away from drugs.

Is this service available in all locations?

This service is not available in every location. In fact, some of the locations where it is offered might have several different criteria for admission. For example, for Altec Drug Services in Ottawa people have been charged with a drug-related crime and must be eligible for bail or on probation. For Toronto, people need to be doing a court-mandated program but will also be allowed to enrol if they are otherwise eligible. 

What drugs does this service treat?

The Altec Drug Services program treats individuals who are addicted to various substances including prescription medications. The most commonly used substances include oxycodone, methadone, morphine, marijuana, crack cocaine and heroin. This program also treats individuals with various co-occurring disorders including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 

Does this service treat only opioid users?

This service does not only cater to people who are using opioids as their drug of choice. Instead it treats a wide variety of substance use disorders in people who have been convicted of a drug-related crime.