A second treatment facility for female drug addicts will begin taking clients this January, Health Minister Patrice Minors announced yesterday.

The Women's Treatment Centre of Bermuda was developed by the National Drug Commission (NDC) with Twin Ministries Consultancy in response to a request from the Minister.

The programme, Mrs. Minors said, is culturally sensitive, encompasses multiple levels of care, and utilises best practices and research-based modalities of care.

"The Women's Treatment Centre will use the Cognitive Behavioural and Wrap-Around treatment model. Throughout the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment, the focus will be on the physical, spiritual, psychological, social and emotional aspects of the individual."

The Centre cost some $500,000 in start-up costs and will cost some $800,000 per year going forward, NDC CEO Don Philip said. It will be generally funded by the Ministry of Health.

The treatment will have four components: pre-admission, primary care, transitional living, and continuing care.

"During pre-admission the objective is to engage the women in their own treatment and wellness prior to entering the treatment programme.

"The primary care component is comprised of two parts ? an admission/orientation phase and a treatment/vocational period. Clients will be introduced to the fundamentals of a drug-free lifestyle during this residential period of clinical and psychological treatment.

"The transitional living and vocational rehabilitation phase will allow clients to take the initiative with their treatment, while the final component includes the continuing care and respite programmes."

The Centre can accommodate six residents clients and eight to twelve outpatients, representatives said.

Located on Cambridge Road in Somerset, the physical facility consists of the main residential facility and an adjacent facility for transitional living. Extensive grounds are also available for both therapeutic and recreational purposes.

"Staffing includes administrative and clinical staff equipped to manage the diverse needs of female substance abusers," Mrs. Minors said.

Staff are local, Dr. Philip added, though it may be deemed necessary in the future to bring in additional services from overseas.

"A long-term goal of the Centre is to offer services to accommodate children and incorporate extended services in parenting skills," Mrs. Minors said.

"Ultimately, the developers of the programme aim to reach the stage where the Women's Treatment Centre will be able to seek accreditation."

The nature of the need for such a facility in the community is strong enough, she finished, that "we will not see this fail".