Pubdate: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Calgary Sun Contact: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67 Author: Ajay Bhardwaj FAMILIES BACK TOUGH DRUG BILL Legal issues may spell defeat EDMONTON -- 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, father of the 18-year-old who spoke to Sun Media. "I think with Bill 202, I don't think it's going to be a parent's first choice," he said. "But Bill 202 gives you a place when you know you're at a point where a child needs help." 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. "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." - --- MAP posted-by: Josh