Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2006 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Mia Rabson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

MANDATORY DETOX FOR ADDICTED YOUTHS COMING

YOUTHS severely addicted to drugs or alcohol could be forced into 
detox by their parents under new legislation introduced by the 
provincial government yesterday.

Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald is following in the footsteps 
of Alberta and Saskatchewan with the Youth Drug Stabilization Act.

"We are offering a tool of last resort for parents," Oswald said.

The law applies to Manitobans under 18 who are "severely and 
persistently" abusing one or more drugs, including alcohol.

Parents who can't persuade their children to get treatment 
voluntarily can apply to a judge for an order to have their child 
committed to a stabilization facility for a maximum of seven days.

While there, the child must be assessed by two different specialists 
within 48 hours to affirm they are severely addicted and need to be 
stabilized. The hope is over the seven days of residential care, the 
child will detoxify enough to see more clearly the need for 
treatment. At the end of the seven days, or earlier if possible, the 
child will either move on voluntarily to a treatment facility or 
program, or will be released to his or her parents.

"We're talking about a seven-day period so a young person is stable 
enough to be involved in a discussion about their treatment," said Oswald.

Children will not be forced into treatment, said Oswald, because the 
science has shown treatment has to be voluntary or it doesn't work.

One mother, who didn't want to be identified, said if this 
legislation had been available to her a decade ago, it might have 
helped the lives of both her children.

When her son was 14, she tried to get him help but it didn't work.

"I couldn't force him," she said. "At the time we didn't know where to turn."

A year later, he dropped out of high school. He is now 23 and is 
still an addict.

"He is only now admitting he has a problem," she said. "It consumes 
his life. All he does is work and get high." Tory justice critic 
Kelvin Goertzen praised the government for introducing the 
legislation but said the province is lacking enough treatment beds 
for addicted youth if they opt for treatment.

John Borody, CEO of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, said there 
is about a four-to eight-week wait for youth residential treatment right now.

But he said there are more beds becoming available, and noted not 
every child will need an inpatient treatment program.

He said by the time the bill becomes law, he expects every child 
ordered into detox who agrees to go to treatment will be able to do 
so immediately.

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How does it work?

PARENTS whose children are severe drug or alcohol addicts must go in 
person to an addiction facility and pick up the application form. 
They then must take it before a judge, with evidence their child is 
"severely and persistently" addicted to drugs or alcohol.

A judge can then order the youth to be taken into a stabilization 
unit, and will send a police officer to find the child and take him 
or her into custody.

The child must be allowed to contact a lawyer if he or she wants to, 
either when the police apprehend him or her, or when he or she 
arrives at the stabilization facility.

Within 24 hours, the youth must be assessed by a specialist to 
determine if he or she is a candidate for forced detox, and that 
assessment must be verified by a second specialist within 48 hours.

A youth can appeal the order, and the appeal will be reviewed by an 
independent roster of addiction specialists and lawyers.

While in detox, specialists must develop a treatment plan for the 
youth. After seven days, or earlier if possible, the youth can 
voluntarily begin the program. After seven days if the youth refuses 
to get treatment, he or she must be released.

Parents can apply for another order for detox, but there is no 
renewal process in the bill.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom