Pubdate: Sun, 27 Mar 2005
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Ajay Bhardwaj
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

'A WAY TO SAVE KIDS'

The provincial government must find a way to implement a bill that would 
force drug-addicted kids into treatment centres, say proponents. "It's so 
important," said an 18-year-old former ecstasy addict. "You don't want to 
give up on a kid. I know people who won't get out and they'll die."

Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski's Bill 202, the Protection of Children 
Abusing Drugs Act, would allow parents to force drug-addicted kids into 
treatment. But while the bill has passed second reading, Justice Minister 
Ron Stevens said "there are serious legal issues with it" and it's likely 
doomed.

Parents powerless to help their drug-addicted children would try everything 
to break that addiction, said Patrick, the father of the 18-year-old who 
spoke to the Sun.

"I think with Bill 202, I don't think it's going to be a parents' first 
choice," he said. "But Bill 202 gives you a place when you know you're at a 
point where a child needs help.

"I think it's a great bill," he added.

Patrick said he spent six hours on the phone one day alone trying to find 
help for his daughter, who was addicted to rave-scene drugs like ecstasy. 
He called every agency. All told him to bring his daughter in, but that was 
the problem.

Lynn also couldn't find help for her then 15-year-old crystal meth-addicted 
daughter.

"Had (Bill) 202 been around at that time I wouldn't have had that problem," 
she said.

She had few options - hope her child would be arrested, have her declared 
incompetent - available to help her daughter. She said the provincial 
government can help.

"I'd tell (Stevens) to figure this out," said Lynn. "We need to have a way 
to save our kids. Parents are so powerless in this system."

She eventually got her daughter into two treatment centres to break the 
addiction.

"I was very, very lucky," Lynn said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom