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8 -The Canadian Champion, Fniday February 5, 1999 Money to study hornelessness helps, says Halton Don't allow Ambulance Services to be the next casualty of the Health Care crisis: Ambulance Paramedics Ambulance services have been in the news lately. Barely a night goes by when several hospitals in the GTA aren't on "redirect" and paramedics have to scramble to find a hospital that will take critically ilI patients, or people with lîfe-threatening injuries. Overcrowded hospitals mean things are getting pretty scary! Private, for-profit ambulance services are flot the answer Event scarier, the province recently dowvnloaded ambulance service delivery ta municipal governiments, some of whom are seriously considering handing thîs vital service over ta the private sector! If you think services are stretched now, can you imagine what would happen if private companies were involved? York, Durham and Haiton considering their options Wisely, the Regional governiments in York, Durham and Halton have commissioned a joint study on the delivery of ambulance services before deciding what ta do. They are considering a number of "delivery modela," including - believe it or not - privatization. We believe Regional Counicillors have only one choice to make - to keep the system public! Here's why: * Experience in the U.S. and some Canadian provinces shows that while private companies may promise lower costa in order ta get a contract, once successful they will demand more money or threaten a community with a bass of service. * According ta a report of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average coat billed ta American Medicare for ambulance services in 1995 was $500(U.S.). In contrast, the average cost for the public ambulance service in Ontario was $200 (Canadian). * Private operators will want a profit margin of 15% or more. This adds ta the coat of ambulance service. Cati your York, Durham or Hatton Regionat Councitlor Ambulance services are a vital part of aur health care systern, not a consumer good. People in these three Regions currently can rely on some of the highest- trained ambulance paramedics anywhere in the world. Paramedics take great pride in their work and. are there when you need them. Ifyou live in York, Durham or Halton Regions and believe ambulance services should not be for sale, call your Regional Counciilor and tell them privatizaion is simply flot an option! A message from the Paramedics in York, Durham and Halton Regions By IRENE GENTLE Tihe Champion Halton bas been banded a $10,000 opportunity ta investigate bornelesaneas in tbe region. Tbe rnoney is Halton's sbare of a $4.2 million initiative by thse provincial Ministry of Community and Social Services to battle bornelessness. "It's just a srnall arnount but it will help," said Adelina Urbanaki, tbe Region's commnissioner of bealtb and cornrunity services. According to a late 1998 regional report, Halton cuntently bas an ad hoc approach 1e, hornelesanesa. Witb no shelters dedicated solely to thse problem, the vacuum is filled by cburcbes, Tbe Salvation Armny and Halton Wornan's Place, said tbe report. In response, a comrnunity consultation group bas been forrned to pinpoinî tbe problemn and devise a way ta deal witb it, said Ms Urbanski. With tox season creeping up, it is lime to cail the truatedprofessionals. We wiII guide you through the SAF unpleaseant chore offiling your taxes, with accuracy, and prompt refund -'options. Drop by, or coul today for an oppoiniment. CAH BACK EFILE, BOOKKEEPING1 Professional Computer Solutions 205 Mais St. Suite 303, Milton Telephose (905) 878-2168 (Fax) 876-9984 lotz Year Serving Milton EFILE E1t1mnic Fiin ~Uaierî1s Spoil V Pearl Set V Diamond Studs Necidace, Bracelet & 1/10 CT. T.W. Eam'ngs odMW$ 0 (14K Gold Closers) 1/2 C. T.W. 0MWt $6900 oNLV î79900 SUPER PRICIS ON ALL YOUR JEWELLRY ýNEEDS Bob Fleming'. (3olô by the (3ram SMO WIOOM OPEl: FridoV 4-8, Sot. 9.4 iide Koàleno Flowsr, 136 MÙb S. E. or Sil lte office: 878-457t oaytim -The comlnunity is going 10 corne uip with idleas," she said. "Wbat bas the biggest bang for tbe buck?- Tbougb tbe issue may bave a low profile, bomelessness is a concerni in Halton, Ms Urbanski said. "We're flot suggesting to anyone tbat our pmoblemr is the same as Toronto, but there is a pmoblem," sbe said. "We do bave borne- lessness, we do bave issues of crisis housing and affordable bous- ing. -When someone is evicted fromn their apartment or bouse, tbat's a resi problem." Higb bousing and cost of living expenses witbout local safety nets are harbingers of a homelessness problerni in Halton, said Lynne Cslderbank-Russell of the Halton Social Planning Council. "We more or leas tbink that Halton bas tbe preconditions to, cause bomnelessness," sbe said. "For people wbo are working low-income jobs or on social assistance, it just doesn't cover C The provincial initiative is aimed at getting people off the streets and, if possible, back to tbeir own communities, said Halton Nortb MPP Ted Chudleigb. -Manty of the bornelesa in Toronto corne from somewbere else," be pointed out. "MI'e ides is for local communities to keep people local and not (bave tbem) gravitate towards Toronto." His experience witb the bornelesa in Toronto bas taugbt bim tbat tbe issue is a complex one, said Mr. Cbudleigb. "It's sbocking wben you drive up Bay Street. You talk to tbemr and you know rigbt away tbere's a problem but God, tbey're not unbappy," be said. "Wbat tbey est is a lot of refuse frorn restaurants and yet tbey're tbe bealtbiest people. Tbey don't get sick, tbey don't get colds." Mr. Cbudleigb acknowledged that it's tougb to simply buy a solution to bomelessness. "In a caring society you want 10 do sometbing for tbem," be said. -We'll tbrow sorne money on it and bopefully we'll feel better." Talking drug use *from SIGNS on page 5 ration and beart beat. 'So rnany people don't see alcobol as a dangerous drug," Ms Hall said. 'Me biggest reason kida get into drugs il peer pressure, sbe said. "Tbere's a big pressure for the kids to fit in." Otber reasons include escapism, curiosity, boredom and a lack of comfort witb saying no. Ms Hall recommended tbat in discussing drug issues witb their cbildren, parents sbould create bypotbetical situations to give tbeir kids practice in refusing alcobol or drugs. And parents shouldn't forget bow important it is for thern to set a gond example - by flot drinking and driving or being intoxi- cated in front of tbeir cbildren.