Pubdate: Thu, 04 Aug 2005
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Darren Bernhardt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

GOV'T TO RELEASE METH REPORT

Sask. Party Touts Ways To Deal With Drug Problem

A long-awaited report on substance abuse and strategies for dealing with 
crystal meth will be released today by the Calvert government, making the 
Saskatchewan Party "excited and a little bit nervous."

Graham Addley, appointed as legislative secretary to Premier Lorne Calvert 
to study alcohol and drug abuse issues, presented his report to the premier 
at the end of June. Its findings and the government's response are being 
made public today.

For more than a year, the Saskatchewan Party has pursued enhanced measures 
for dealing with the province's growing crystal meth problem. A prominent 
MLA with the party, Ted Merriman, revealed his family's struggle to help an 
addicted daughter.

"If they do the things the people of the province say they should be doing, 
I will congratulate the government. I definitely would," said Sask. Party 
MLA June Draude.

"I will do a dance for them. I have been passionate about this and I am 
sincere about it."

But if the government falls short in its proposals, "we won't stop talking 
about it and we won't stop badgering the government," Draude added. "Right 
now I'm just going to hold my breath and hope that they can take politics 
out of this whole subject. I know we brought it up, but that doesn't 
matter. We're talking about our citizens who are caught up in this drug.

"So I say to the government, 'Do the right things -- the things we all know 
are so important.' "

When Draude started bringing the issue to the forefront in the legislature, 
the government accused her of over-reacting and attempting to score 
political points.

"They actually made fun of us. They berated us and did everything they 
could to make sure people thought we were blowing the whole issue out of 
proportion," said Draude.

"Then they finally realized it is a huge issue and getting worse by the day."

The StarPhoenix reported last month that since January, at least 10 people 
in Saskatoon alone have died in connection to crystal meth. The city's 
murder rate has never hit that amount in any given year.

In December, the NDP appointed Addley to examine the problem. It also held 
its own conference on meth in June, during which a North Dakota politician 
stressed the seriousness of the issue and explained that his jurisdiction 
is building extra prisons to deal with problems caused by meth.

In February, Health Minister John Nilson released a policy document which 
failed to list any new dollars or programs for drug treatment, Draude noted.

"This time, the Calvert government has to do better," she said. "The NDP 
studies the problem while young lives are being wasted. The time for talk 
is over and the time to start saving lives is now."

She wrote Addley a couple of weeks ago, wondering when the report would be 
released, but had no response. She's anxiously awaiting today's announcement.

"I'm excited and a little bit nervous because there's four or five things 
I'm adamant must be in there," she said.

"I want people to know they should be watching for these points so that we 
don't again have the government make a flamboyant press conference without 
providing anything concrete."

A youth treatment centre addressing a variety of chemical addictions tops 
the list. Next is a commitment to extend treatment stays for those addicted 
to crystal meth to a minimum of 180 days.

"Some facilities in Calgary have up to a year for treatment but what we in 
Saskatchewan have right now is 28 days. That is just not enough for dealing 
with meth," said Draude.

Other initiatives touted by the Sask. Party include:

- - Court-ordered treatment for meth addicts appearing before judges.

- - A significant financial commitment to increasing out-patient treatment.

- - Money to support families of addicted children.

- - Clear drug education strategies.

- - Apprehension strategy for those under 18 who do not voluntarily 
participate in treatment.

- - Clandestine lab training by the Canadian Police Knowledge Network for all 
members.

- - An independent addictions commission to provide specialized training and 
expertise.

"I also really hope they do something about giving parents a chance to have 
a voice in the treatment of their children, if they're under the age of 18. 
We don't need just the state making these decisions," said Draude. "I'm 
going to be so grateful if Mr. Addley does these things. They are so 
necessary. I know it and the general public knows it, so the government 
should know it because they've spent a lot of time and resources talking to 
people."

The Sask. Party won't accept any argument that the government doesn't have 
the money, she added. On July 28, the NDP projected $255 million in 
additional revenue for this year due mainly to $201-million in increased 
oil royalties.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom