Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Veronica Rhodes, Saskatchewan News Network
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, FAMILY URGE GOV'T ACTION

REGINA -- The mother of a former crystal meth addict says her daughter 
could have been spared from a serious overdose if provincial legislation 
allowed the girl to be forced 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, who had been using drugs for years.

"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 member's 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 youth apprehended and 
confined to a safe house for no more than 30 days. If the court granted the 
application and the youth was admitted to a safe house, he or 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 mother 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's case during question period Thursday, 
questioning the government on what it was doing for families with 
drug-addicted children. Draude said 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 home care, no 
addictions counselling, no treatment, no nothing," said Draude, who asked 
the government to allow the bill to go to the committee stage.

Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said many 
people are examining 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.

Crofford said she will 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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth