N.B. needs centre for special needs youth

Child and Youth Advocate Bernard Richard is calling for a new centre dedicated to children and youth with severe mental and emotional problems.

Richard is a co-chair of a consultation group that is intended to create a specialized centre to deal with at-risk youth.

Richard said he believes funding now used to deal with young people suffering from autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders could be better spent and the current system is not working.

"We're ending up criminalizing these youths," Richard said.

"We're sending them to jail, to the Restigouche Psychiatric [Hospital] when they shouldn't be there or they're on waiting lists that are endless."

Richard and Shirley Smallwood, the co-chair of the consultation group and a parent of a child with special needs, released an online consultation on the idea of setting up a new centre on Tuesday.

The group, which was formed by the previous Liberal government,will also hold consultation meetings on Nov. 5 and 6 in Fredericton. Richard and Smallwood intend solicit public opinion during those meetings.

Budget questions

The demand for the new centre comes at a time when the new Progressive Conservative government is looking at battling the $749-million deficit.

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has already warned the government must choose between "wants" and "needs" when it comes to funding priorities.

Richard said he understands the new Tory government is looking at ways to curtail spending but said a centre of excellence could be funded by the money that he feels is being used ineffectively.

"I know of one case very recently where the cost was estimated at over $700,000 a year for one child," Richard said.

"I refuse to believe that we can't do a better job at least not at a higher cost and provide expert services, develop research capability and better co-ordinate services in the communities."