Teen's death points to need for more substance use programs for youth, says watchdog

B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth is once again calling for a comprehensive system of substance use services, as part of its report into the death of 15 year-old Nick Lang,

The report released today says the Métis teenager's parents were unable to access suitable, culturally specific services to help address their youngest son's escalating substance use problem.

"We've heard about and reported on too many cases where youth did not receive substance use services that matched their needs, some with tragic consequences," said Deputy Representative Dawn Thomas-Wightman.

"It is time for B.C. to develop a true system of services that is comprehensive and able to match the needs of youth and their families."

'Happened to a good kid'

Lang died after just six days attending a full-time provincially funded residential treatment program to deal with his methamphetamine addiction in Campbell River.

The report has revealed publicly for the first time that Lang's family felt they were forced to turn their son over to police and recommend he be charged in connection with attacking his mother, Linda Tepnas. The family had been told before the incident that in order for Lang to receive publicly supported treatment he would have to wait for months.

The family enquired into private services but concluded they were cost-prohibitive. But the family was told that if Lang was in the criminal justice system he would be eligible for immediate service. 

"I think criminalizing youth for something that is a mental health issue or a drug addiction is absolutely ground shattering for us. It is sad you have to resort to something like that," said Lang's mother, Linda Tepnas.

Lang and Tepnas decided to allow investigators to use Nick's name in the report and discuss his arrest because in their mind it makes the issue more personal for other. 

"This happened to a good kid [who] came from a good home. [It] could happen to anybody's child. He couldn't access any services for his addiction. There weren't any services out there," said Lang's father Peter.

Rehab visit could have been avoided

This is the second time in less than six months that the RCY's office recommended a more comprehensive substance abuse policy.

The report released today, Last Resort: One family's tragic struggle to find help for their son, found Nick had increased the use of methamphetamine and was hesitant to accept voluntary treatment.

Investigators concluded that Nick may not have ended up in a provincially funded rehabilitation centre if the proper supports had been available when they were needed. 

The report also recommended that the province, in partnership with Métis leadership,develop and implement a strategic plan to deliver culturally responsive services for Métis.

Fourth report on Lang's death

This is the fourth review that has been conducted in Lang's death and the Ministry of Children and Family Development has received these latest recommendations.

The community agency where he was living in Campbell River, the BC Coroners Service and the Ministry of Children and Family Development have also examined his death.

"We appreciate the additional perspective offered by the representative's report. Recognizing that much of the recommended work extends beyond the youth justice system and this ministry's mandate, we will discuss with our partner ministries to determine how this report might inform further service improvements," said Minister Stephanie Cadieux in a statement. 

"With regard to provincial mental-health and substance-use services, I can tell you that this government convened a cross-ministry cabinet working group on mental health with a key goal to identify and address gaps in the current system and make sure that individuals and families can access support services early — before they find themselves in a crisis."