House Rules

A.  Assigned Rooms
  1. Sleeping quarters are assigned on admission. Please take pride in your room by keeping your area clean at all times. Staff will do random room inspections.


  2. Guests are not allowed in the bedrooms, nor are clients allowed in bedrooms other than their own.


  3. Food and beverages are not to be taken into the bedrooms.


  4. Changing rooms while at Action North is strictly prohibited unless just cause can be proven to your counsellor.

B.   Visiting Hours

    Visitors may come to the Centre between the following hours:

    6:00 pm and 10:00 pm on Saturday
    9:30 am and 9:30 pm on Sunday

    Note: Treatment activities will be a priority. Activities will not be interrupted by visitors or telephone calls.


C.  Passes
  1. Passes are a privilege, that when abused, will be taken away.

  2. Clients must stay on the Action North premises for forty-eight (48) hours after arrival, before they have their first pass.

  3. When leaving the Centre for any reason, clients must sign out at the front desk.

  4. Weekday passes are limited to thirty (30) minutes.

  5. Passes can be taken between the following hours only:

    12:00 noon and 1:30 pm - Monday to Friday
    5:00 pm and 6:00 pm - Monday to Friday
    Saturday Passes: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Sunday Passes: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm (You must check in every three (3) hours)


  6. Exceptions to these rules must be arranged with your counselor.


  7. Passes will be taken away, at the discretion of your counselor, if sessions are missed or you are tardy.

D.   Confidentiality

    Who you see here, what you see here, when you leave, let it stay here.

    Circumstances where staff must notify emergency services:

    • In cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, and in cases of current or past sexual abuse in which the offender may have present access to minor children, staff are obligated to inform the appropriate authorities;


    • When a client states that he/she intends to inflict bodily harm to another person;


    • Upon subpoena to testify in court at the direction of a judge or court order; and,


    • When a client states that he/she intends to commit suicide, staff notify emergency services necessary to save the individual's life.


E.   Telephone Calls

  1. Telephone calls are to made at the pay phone only.


  2. You are responsible for the cost of your own calls.


  3. Unless groups are in session, telephone hours are:

    12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
    and 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm


  4. Permission for using the phone at any other time for business or emergencies cases must be given by your counselor.


  5. Time limit on calls is 15 minutes.
    If the time limit is broken you will be given a one (1) minute warning and the phone will be turned off by a staff member and your counselor will be notified.


  6. Cell phones are locked at the front desk and can only be used on Sundays.



F.  Prescription/Non Prescription Drugs
  1. All prescription and non prescription drugs are to be turned in at the front desk immediately upon admission.

  2. Procedure for taking medication is as follows:

    • Medication is to be taken in the presence of a staff member.


    • It is your responsibility to approach front desk when you are due to take your medication. Please ensure that you are taking medication as prescribed - time, amount, etc...


G.  Stereo/Music
  1. Weekdays: when there are no sessions in progress
    Saturday: when there are no sessions in progress
    Sunday: all day

  2. Music is not to disturb others. Loud music will not be tolerated.

  3. Stereos must be turned off when sessions begin.

  4. Personal stereos must be kept in you own room.

  5. All music is to be turned off at 11:00 pm.

  6. No profane music is to be played in the recreation area. Profane music will be confiscated and returned to you at the end of you stay.


H.   Recreation Equipment
  1. All recreational equipment must be signed in and out. The person signing out the equipment is responsible for the items signed out.

  2. Games and T.V. hours are:

    Weekdays: 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
    and 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
    Saturday: After all sessions are over
    Sunday: All day


I.   Video/V.C.R.
  1. All video rentals are the responsibility of the client. Action North will not be responsible for rental or late charge costs.

  2. X-rated movies are forbidden. Staff will decide which movies are acceptable and appropriate. Staff decision is final!

  3. Movie/Video hours are:

    Saturday: 3:00 pm - 1:30 am
    Sunday: 9:30 am - 11:00 pm


J.   House Cleaning
  1. You are to wash your bedding and towels on a weekly basis.

  2. Saturday mornings there will be general clean-up of the Centre. Chore lists will be posted. Each client will be assigned chores and all clients must participate.

  3. If your chore assignments are not completed you will not be allowed passes.


K.   Refreshments/Meals
  1. Coffee, juice and snacks are provided during breaks from sessions and during your free time.

  2. Breakfast is served between 7:00 am and 8:00 am; lunch at 12:00 noon; and supper at 5:00 pm.

  3. Clients are not allowed under any circumstances, to cook for themselves at the Centre. This is due to regulation of the Board of Health and for client's protection. ( i.e. Hepatitis B and C, and HIV) Clients may make toast as long as the toaster is not in the kitchen.


L.   General

  1. You are assigned a counselor for the duration of your stay here.

  2. Inform your counselor of any special needs - diet, medical, etc...

  3. Smoking permitted in designated areas only.

  4. Please refrain from lying on the couches.

  5. Out of respect for others, please take care of the furniture - do not put your feet on it, leave all four legs of the chairs on the floor at all times.

  6. Footwear and appropriate clothing must be worn on centre property.

  7. Any personal belongings left behind will be kept for three (3) months before being disposed of. It will be your responsibility for shipping articles left behind at the Centre.

  8. No client may have other obligations that will hinder their treatment for the duration of the program.

  9. Do not write on walls, furniture or damage any of the Actions North's property.


M.   Personal supplies
  1. It is your responsibility to provide all your own personal supplies (i.e. shampoo, toothpaste, body soap, etc...).

  2. You are responsible to bring your own I.D. to the Centre.

  3. You are responsible for your own mailing of letters, parcels, or cheque cashing. Action North will not cash cheques for clients or provide monies.

  4. Action North is not responsible for missing valuables. Valuables can be stored in the Office Managers Desk and can only be retrieved during 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday.



N.  Bedtime
    Bedtimes are as follows:
    Sunday to Friday: 11:00 pm (lights out at 11:30 pm)
    Saturday 2:00 am (lights out at 2:00 am)



O.   Relationships
    There will be no intimate relationships developed between clients and staff, clients and clients, clients and outsiders, for the duration of you program. You are here for treatment only and you must focus on your program.


P.   A.A. Meetings and Other Support Groups
  1. A.A. meetings are mandatory. Other support groups may be mandatory depending on your reasons for coming to treatment. (ie. Narcotics Anonymous)

    Tuesday 8:30 pm at Action North
    Thursday 7:00 pm at Action North
    Friday 9:00 pm at the Community Centre
    Saturday 9:00 pm at Fairview College

  2. The purpose of Support Groups is to discuss what was learned and has been helpful to us from the daily sessions.


Q.  Group Chairperson
  1. Clients will choose a chairperson every week on Monday evenings

  2. Duties:
    • presides over all A.A. meetings
    • designates and supervises client chores
    • represents the group.


  3. Term of Office: One week beginning Monday and ending Sunday.


R.   Kwellada Shampoo
    Upon admission Kwellada shampoo will be provided to clients suspected to be carrying lice.
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