FAMILIES USING DETOX LAW

Drug-Addicted Kids Forced Into Treatment

More than 600 families have used a new Alberta law that allows them to
send their drug-addicted children to detox.

Nearly half of the youths served under the Protection of Children
Abusing Drugs Act voluntarily continued with treatment after being
discharged, a review shows.

But while 81 per cent of parents and guardians thought the five-day
term was too short for the program, 86 per cent of youths thought it
was too long.

From July 1, 2006, to Aug. 31, 2007, 618 youths were admitted into the
program.

"It is encouraging to see that this program has been successful in
connecting youth and families to the treatment they need," said AADAC
chairman Harvey Cenaiko.

"Without this legislation, many of these youth would not have sought
the valuable treatment available at AADAC."

The program has had its share of problems. Many youths returned
several times, and some used the courts to successfully overturn the
order to attend treatment.