Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2005
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Kelly Cryderman, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

FIGHT AGAINST CRYSTAL METH HEATS UP

New Legislation Would Allow Police To Seize Children Whose Parents Raise 
Them In Drug Dens

RED DEER - In a new strategy to battle crystal meth usage in Alberta, 
police will be able to lay child abuse charges against parents who raise 
their kids in drug dens.

The premier's wife will also chair a new task force to direct the 
government's actions in tackling the deadly drug.

"You know with other drugs, the brain probably loses a lot of cells," 
Colleen Klein told reporters Thursday.

"But this one here, in some cases, leaves an actual hole, a hole in the 
brain. So we've got to do something for awareness for the young ones that 
haven't even thought about it yet."

Colleen Klein's task force, which will work with the Alberta Alcohol and 
Drug Abuse Commission, will be made up of representatives from law 
enforcement, health care, aboriginal and legal communities.

Municipal governments and youth groups will also have a role.

Bob Westbury will co-chair. The rest of the members will be announced in 
the next few weeks.

Colleen Klein said she is passionate about the fight against crystal meth.

"It is absolutely deadly," she said. "I mean, no human being should be 
putting fertilizer and Drano and iodine all mixed together with a little 
ephedrine into their system."

This is the second time Colleen Klein has taken a lead role in government 
strategy.

Her first was to help plan Alberta's centennial celebrations.

Premier Klein made the announcements at the central Alberta premier's 
dinner Thursday night.

The premier said that the child abuse legislation, to be introduced by 
Children's Services Minister Heather Forsyth, will be the first of its kind 
in Canada.

The legislation will fall under the province's Child, Youth and Family 
Enhancement Act.

It will allow police to seize children whose parents expose them to illegal 
drug activity in the same manner as they now seize a child who is neglected 
or beaten.

Under the act, parents could be fined or jailed for that offence alone.

The premier said provincial workers are called out once a week to rescue 
children exposed to drug manufacturing or trafficking.

"It involves not only crystal meth, but crack cocaine and other harmful 
drugs," he said.

Under the strategy, the province plans to better organize the system for 
protecting children.

And it will soon bring forward details on how to accomplish that goal.

AADAC already airs two television ads that show the disturbing physical 
side effects of crystal meth.

The commission is also leading the implementation of legislation that would 
allow the province to order drug-addicted young people into detox programs.

That legislation was brought forward as a private member's bill by Mary 
Anne Jablonski.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom