Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2006
Source: Cochrane Times (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Cochrane Times
Contact:  http://www.cochranetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1588
Author: Angela Anderson

CRYSTAL METH TASK FORCE LAUDED BY OFFICIALS

The Alberta government is applauding the work of the  Premier's Task 
Force on Crystal Meth, who released  their anticipated report and 
recommendations earlier  this week on how to fight the problem that's 
quickly  becoming an epidemic.

After comprehensive consultation for the last year with  Albertans, 
the task force, led by Colleen Klein, has  submitted a report 
containing 83 recommendations in  three predominant themes; 
prevention, healing and  treatment and getting tough.

"With the help of community leaders across the  province, the task 
force's recommendations will stop  the abuse and negative impacts of 
crystal meth on our  communities, workplaces, families and young 
people,"  stated Klein, chair of the task force.

"We can and must work collectively to fight against the  damage of this drug."

Upon receipt of the recommendations, Premier Ralph  Klein expressed 
his gratitude to the committee for the  work they've done.

"We asked this task force to produce a roadmap to help  us tackle a 
complex problem facing not just Alberta,  but communities across 
North America," the premier  said.

"I am very pleased with these strategies to reduce the  harm to our 
youth, families and communities."

The 83 recommendations cover a wide range of needs, and  include 
giving children a healthy start, engaging  communities, increasing 
detoxification, treatment and  after care, providing education and 
strengthening laws  and the courts.

The recommendations are grouped into several  categories.

Firstly, the task force recommends that the Province  needs to take a 
province-wide approach.

"The Government of Alberta should create a fund that  pools resources 
for the development of programs to  reduce and eliminate the use and 
abuse of crystal meth.  The fund would be accessed by communities, 
police,  service providers and others, and distributed by the 
implementation team," was the number one  recommendation.

Prevention was also a large focus of the report, and  the task force 
made nearly two dozen recommendations on  it.

It was indicated that prevention programs should be  developed in all 
communities, urban and rural, as well  as integrating awareness about 
the drug into public  education through high school courses like CALM 
(Career  and Life Management).

While showing high school students the importance of  knowing what 
addiction is was significant in the  report, it also calls for more 
programs for ages 0 to  6.

"Alberta Children's Services, Alberta Education and  Alberta Health 
and Wellness, in partnership with  Alberta school boards and school 
superintendents, day  care providers, and preschools, should develop 
a protocol to identify at-risk children, beginning at an  early age 
(zero to six years), to increase their  resiliency, and reduce risk 
for drug use and abuse,"  was another of the recommendations.

The report also focused on healing and treatment,  asking that the 
Province add a minimum of 100 beds for  detoxification, and at least 
200 beds for treatment  services across the province, as well as 
residential  treatment programs.

Another large grouping of the recommendations was the  Getting Tough 
section, consisting of over 30  recommendations.

Dr. Robert Westbury, co-chair of the task force, said  "We learned a 
great deal about this problem, and we  listened to individuals and 
groups about the best way  to fight back. Together we can fight back 
and make a  difference for Albertans."

The Getting Tough section includes recommendations for  undercover 
street teams, expanding the canine program,  a larger focus on 
organized crime, and the creation of  localized drug courts.

Another section of the report focused on supporting  aboriginal communities.

"The Government of Alberta should work with the  Government of Canada 
to ensure that Aboriginal  children, youth and young people have 
access to any  prevention, treatment, and healing programs it 
provides for crystal meth addiction," was one of the  recommendations.

And lastly, the report highlighted the need to improve  services and 
assess results in the future.

As well as creating forums for data to be recorded on  the progress 
of the fight against crystal meth,  "Alberta Health and Wellness 
should create a system for  collecting data and information on drug 
and addictions  trends in Alberta from treatment facilities, law 
enforcement, the criminal justice system, corrections,  the education 
system, probations, health authorities  and others."

To view the full report visit www. stopmeth.alberta.ca
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MAP posted-by: Elaine