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Hi Tony, Shocking to read your message!! I am afraid that we will get more and more of these messages from all over Europe. The 6th of June we will receive a delegation of the court of justice from Oslo and Bergen. They come over to visit our Drug treatment Court in Ghent. I will certainly try to convince these people that DTC without organizations as Phoenix House Haga do not make sense. May be the are willing to negotiate with the people from the South Eastern Regional Health Authority. If I can do anything more, just let me know. Give my support to all the worker of Phoenix house Haga, you program is really worth to fight for!!!! Warmest regards, Alphonse Franssen Coordinator drugtreatment services East Flanders Belgium Coordinator Drug Treatment Court Ghent Van Goethemstraat 72 B-9820 Merelbeke Belgium Phone/fax: +32.9.231.01.21 Mobile: +32.495.54.12.50 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Van: Therapeutic Communities [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Namens Anthony Slater Verzonden: zondag 20 mei 2012 15:59 Aan: [log in to unmask] Onderwerp: [EFTC] Sad News from Norway. Urgentie: Hoog Dear friends, It is with a very heavy heart that I have to inform you that Phoenix House Haga, Norway has lost its funding from the South Eastern Regional Health Authority in Norway. The decision was communicated last Monday from the Health Authority. If it is not possible to manage to get this decision overturned before the end of June, then the funding that Phoenix requires will cease from July 1st 2012, as I understand it at this time. Although I recognize that drug free therapeutic community treatment is not for everyone at all times during recovery, I am left astounded that a treatment programme with such a long history of effectiveness during this last 21/22 years, is to be closed by the stroke of a pen via civil servants. As many or most of you will know, for health reasons my direct involvement with Phoenix Haga has been limited over this last 12 months, however although I'm now retired from Phoenix Haga, I am committed to assist Phoenix Haga as much as is required through this very difficult time. Phoenix Haga a not for profit therapeutic community was open in 1990 and admitted the first resident group in August of the same year. Former residents of Phoenix have created an action page https://www.facebook.com/groups/457976380883491/ which can be found ( just look for an icon of a loud speaker and go from there) the page has over 17.000 hits at present and very moving statements sharing people's feelings and experiences. Although I realize that many of list members will not be able to read the Norwegian language, please believe me when I say that the messages truly embody the spirit of the therapeutic community. I am able to visit Phoenix Haga on Monday 21/May and hope to be briefed on the present situation plus receive the contact details of the relevant political offices, persons and civil servants to continue to challenge what is a devastating blow to many peoples present and future recovery. On behalf of the community of Phoenix Haga, graduates, staff' families, the board of directors, I call upon and implore all friends and associates to support us during this very bleak time in our history. Sincere thanks in advance, Anthony Slater ( Former director -Phoenix House Haga, president E.F.T.C.)