Fair Havens Christian Care Association is to re-open its drug treatment programme for women in April.

It has re-modelled its chemical dependency programme and will team up with a Canadian agency to treat recovering addicts here and abroad.

Fair Havens Board Chairman Terrett West said the programme had been reviewed and improved.

?The new programme design is based upon the successful experiences of leading addiction treatment facilities in North America.?

Fair Havens has entered an agreement with Bellwood Health Services in Toronto to assist with programme oversight, clinical supervision, training, research and best practice standards.

Fair Havens hopes to get accreditation. In recent months it has limped along with no counsellors and no director. Its three residents had been getting counselling from outside sources.

A former board made the decision to close Fair Havens on December 31, 2002, before then-director Elaine Charles reversed that decision to prevent residents from being cast out into the streets.

She later resigned and the facility spent the year struggling to stay open, with two more directors coming and going. A new board was put into place on November 12.

Mr. West said: ?Fair Havens is very excited about working together with Bellwood to create a premiere addiction treatment programme in Bermuda.

?Bellwood has a tight, solid treatment schedule that emphasises group therapy.

?It is a cost effective programme with a proven track record and an exemplary level of quality.?

Fair Havens clients will be guided by a case manager for treatment both in Bermuda and abroad.

Clients can draw on help from addiction counsellors, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, fitness professionals, spiritual care givers, social workers, vocational trainers and mentors.

The programme will also include family involvement to encourage support for clients.

An aftercare service will be developed to help the individual deal with challenges on the road to long-term sobriety.

Fair Havens will assist with problems with housing, health, employment, education and family. This support is often required for up to five years.

Fair Havens? re-organisation has started with the development of this comprehensive treatment plan and establishment of local and overseas alliances.

This will be followed by the selection of a Clinical Director, Chemical Dependency Counsellor, and Case Manager. Fundraising efforts will be started to finance the facility.

With a goal of financial self-sufficiency, Fair Havens plans to charge for its service because it?s thought those who have a financial stake in their recovery have more success.

Fair Havens hopes to unite funders with beneficiaries with a purpose of raising accountability on the part of the treatment centre, as well as providing worth to the financial contributors.

Mr. West added: ?I am very excited to be part of a remedial plan to provide quality addiction treatment solution for women in Bermuda.

?We invite those interested to become a member of the Fair Havens Christian Care Association and look forward to providing regular and consistent updates about our progress.?