Pubdate: Tue, 05 Apr 2005
Source: Drayton Valley Western Review (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Bowes Publishers Limited
Contact:  http://www.draytonvalleywesternreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/980
Author: John Michael
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG BILLS WELCOMED

Proposed federal and provincial legislation in the fight against drugs is 
welcome news to the Town of Drayton Valley and the local RCMP.

Two provincial bills and one piece of federal legislation aimed at either 
controlling the sale of the chemicals used in the production of 
methamphetamine (crystal meth) or forcing drug-addicted children into 
treatment are seen as something positive by both Mayor Diana McQueen and 
Const. Daryl Scott of the Drayton Valley RCMP.

One provincial bill is West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang's Bill 204, the 
Pharmacy and Drug (Methamphetamine Limiting) Amendment Act, which calls for 
strict controls on the sale of legal products used in the manufacture of 
crystal meth. The other is Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski's Bill 202, the 
Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act, which would allow parents to 
force drug-addicted children into treatment centres.

The proposed federal legislation is Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield's Bill 
C-349, a bill to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would 
strengthen controls on the chemicals necessary for the production of 
methamphetamine. The bill would see these chemicals change from Class B 
substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to Class A 
substances, which would allow for the prosecution of individuals in 
possession of quantities of these substances that they do not have a 
licence to possess.

McQueen, a former town councillor who worked with fellow councillors and 
former mayor Moe Hamdon on a 2002 resolution about monitoring the sale of 
the chemicals used in crystal meth production, is encouraged by the three 
bills.

"We know we have a crystal meth problem in our community and we decided to 
do something about it (by adopting the 2002 resolution)," said McQueen. "To 
see this proposed (methamphetamine chemical control) legislation, both at 
the federal and provincial level, is fantastic.

"I think it shows that we have three levels of government working on 
tackling this issue that affects all of our citizens," she said. McQueen 
thinks Jablonski's bill is a good idea as well.

"Parents are really feeling frustrated that there's nowhere for them to 
turn," she said. "Parents are watching their children destroy their lives 
and there's nothing they can do about it."

However, McQueen said that in order for Jablonski's legislation to work, 
there needs to be more drug treatment centres in Alberta to send children 
to, especially centres for crystal meth addiction.

"The reality is (that) there's not enough treatment centres for youth," she 
said.

Scott, meanwhile, said that although he has not specifically seen the 
proposed drug legislation, he believes, in principle, that the three bills 
have merit.

"I think they're great starting points," he said. "There's no doubt about 
that."

He said some might see Jablonski's bill as a case of the state intervening 
in parental affairs, but he said what is at stake is the welfare of 
children in need of treatment for drug addictions.

"We can debate and work through that (the state intervention question), but 
we need to get help for those kids," said Scott. "They need immediate 
attention."

However, Scott said that, as with any legislation, there needs to be public 
support in order for the three bills to be effective (if they become laws).

"People need to buy in," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom