Pubdate: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Andrea Miller, Advocate staff and CP ADDICTS NEED CARE: REPORT Alberta's crystal meth task force says the emphasis should be on treating young addicts rather than sending them to jail. The group, led by Premier Ralph Klein's wife Colleen, recommended on Tuesday that users go before special courts in the community. "I don't think we accomplish very much when we send young addicts to jail, unless we have a full treatment program in place," said Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, who sat on the task force. "They could learn things in jail that you and I never dreamed of." At a news conference in Edmonton, a former young addict suggested stiffer sentences should be given to anyone who produces or deals crystal meth. The task force is urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to follow through on campaign promises to ensure that crystal meth producers and traffickers face sentences similar to those in the heroin trade. Jablonski said police officers supported a recommendation to establish drug undercover street teams (DUST) in seven Alberta regions. The task force is also calling for 300 new detox and treatment beds across Alberta. "If you divide 300 beds throughout Alberta, it doesn't give you that many in different locations. By asking for more beds, it will help in the treatment end of this problem," said Jablonski. Health Minister Iris Evans suggested the 83 recommendations could cost "tens of millions" of dollars. Evans said each new bed costs roughly $100,000, which would put the price tag on the beds alone at $30 million. But she said the beds would likely be phased in over several years. Jablonski said the task force recommended certain government departments pool money for implementing the recommendations. "There has to be some public and political will there." The mother of a Red Deer man who battled an eight-year addiction to crystal meth said she's glad to see that awareness has greatly increased since her son's death. Jesse Catellier was fatally shot during a confrontation with a former friend in February 2005. Both men were high on drugs. "Somebody was shot and killed in the midst of that crystal meth mess," said his mother Ingrid Braak, adding that many people had their "heads in the sand" before then. "A lot of people have told me that they had discussions over the dinner table. They say, 'It happened to Ingrid, it could happen to us.' " Kath Hoffman, residential director with Safe Harbour Society, which operates Red Deer's detox centre, said she's always pleased when more funding and attention are placed on substance abuse. But Hoffman wishes the efforts were focused on all types of addiction. Alcohol is "an insidious monster" that can be blamed for about 80 per cent of addictions, she said, adding that the problem is growing. "We have detoxed over 200 people since February at our little temporary spot. Probably half a dozen had been using crystal meth." Community agencies should be empowered and granted funding to help anyone who comes through their doors with addictions, she said. The detox centre only serves adults. At present, there are 48 beds for young people in Alberta, said Jablonski. Three beds, provided through AADAC, are located in a Red Deer home for minors who are confined under Alberta's new Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act. "The beds have been very steadily used. There have been times we have been full," said Tom Mountain, AADAC manager for the protection of children abusing drugs. The beds have been empty on rare occasions, he said. No youths have been turned away and there are no waiting lists. Jablonski said it may take two years to implement all of the recommendations. Some need approval from municipal and federal levels of government. "It will take an effort from all three levels of government." A number of recommendations, including programs to prevent crystal meth use, could be implemented immediately, she said. "We asked people in the community, industry and education and health what we needed to do to combat the scourge of crystal meth. "You will find a lot of their answers in those 83 recommendations." - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine