Contacts with a Canadian "street-level" Drug and Crisis Centre, 1975-1978

This paper presents the work and functioning of the distress Centre/Drug Centre, an agency in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which has evolved from a youth-oriented drug centre to a general crisis centre. It is staffed by volunteers who are supported by professional staff, and offers a 24-hour telephone service throughout the week. The paper reviews the continuing evolution of this service, the drugs most frequently noted in contacts involving crisis and suicide attempts, and the role of crisis centres that use volunteers as front-line workers. The years 1975-1978 were a period in which alcohol was the drug most frequently reported to be associated with crisis and attempted suicide.