Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Veronica Rhodes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FORMER METH ADDICT EAGER TO SEE BILL PASSED

The mother of a former crystal meth addict says her daughter could have 
been spared from a serious overdose if provincial legislation allowed them 
to force her into treatment.

"It would have helped us to the point that we could have gotten her into 
treatment, then that gives us 30-days grace. That gives us 30 days to 
figure out what we're going to do," said Georgina Bergen, mother of 
21-year-old Sandy of Biggar, who had been using drugs for years.

"Because, once they are 16, you have no option. I would put her into 
treatment and she would phone me and say 'I'm on the bus, I'm coming home' 
the very next day. What was I going to do, I can't force her to stay. 
She'll get herself thrown out if she doesn't want to be there."

Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude introduced a private members' bill last 
month, which would see legal guardians able to force their drug-addicted 
children under the age of 18 into treatment. Under the act, legal guardians 
would make an application to a court to have the child apprehended and 
confined to a safe house for no more than 30 days.

If the court grants the application and the child is admitted to the safe 
house, he/she would undergo an assessment by the director of the facility 
and then begin detoxification and treatment.

Last May, Sandy spent 10 days in a coma after overdosing on crystal meth -- 
a drug she became addicted to the first time she used it. Sandy was present 
at the Legislature Thursday with her mom and father Stan.

"I came out to tell my story so this government stops dragging their feet 
on this bill and they pass it, so parents don't have to watch their 
children kill themselves," said Sandy.

Draude brought up the Bergen case during question period Thursday, 
questioning the government on what they were doing for families with 
drug-addicted children. Draude explained that after Sandy overdosed on 
crystal meth last May, doctors told her parents that Sandy wouldn't live.

"All of her organs were failing, her heart was as hard as a rock, her lungs 
had collapsed and all of her veins had hardened ... When she finally came 
out of the coma, she was released into her family's care within three days. 
She could hardly walk and she was given no after-care except a follow-up 
EKG. This family was given no support, no homecare, no addictions 
counselling, no treatment, no nothing," explained Draude, who asked the 
government to allow the bill to go to the committee stage, to bring parents 
one step closer to getting their children help.

Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said that there 
are many people who are currently examining the provisions of the bill, 
such as how long a youth should be detained and if there should be an 
appeal process. Youth will be consulted about the bill, as well as 
professionals who handle addictions treatment.

"There is no question that there needs to be more tools for parents and 
youth for dealing with addiction, but there is also a large number of 
people that do this for a profession and we want to hear from them," said 
Crofford following question period.

Crofford said she is committed to using the powers of section 18 of the 
Child and Family Services Act that allows for children under the age of 16 
to be apprehended and returned to the care of either their family or a 
foster home or become a ward of the minister.

Crofford said she will also wait for the final report from Graham Addley, 
the legislative secretary on substance abuse prevention and treatment, who 
is studying the province's addictions policies and programs. If there is a 
legislative response to the bill, Crofford said it will come in the fall 
session.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth