[The elderly and drug abuse]

LESA is a program of Lifestyle Enrichment for Senior Adults experiencing problems associated with their use of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs. It includes a direct service and a community education component. The treatment approach incorporates knowledge about the normal aging process, drug dependency, and holistic health, along with interventions from addiction treatment centres, holistic care, nursing and social work. The overall goal of the program is to improve the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and environmental health of seniors who are living independently in the community and experiencing problems. To be admitted to this program, clients must be residents of Ottawa-Carleton who are 55 years of age or older; live independently; use psychoactive drugs in a manner presumed, or confirmed, to be hazardous; and express the desire for improved health or well-being. This article, based on documents available in both French and English, presents the special features of the program and its philosophy. Problematic drug use has four basic, interactive elements: the person(s) who uses the drug(s); the reasons for use; the drug(s) used; and the consequence of use. Effective intervention takes all of these elements into account. Early onset, intermittent problems, and late onset problem users, all have a reason for use. The positive and negative consequences of drug use, and the implications for seniors and for the rest of the population, are explained.