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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth