TEEN ADDICT'S MOM TO LOBBY TOEWS FOR FORCED TREATMENT

EDMONTON - The Sherwood Park mother of a drug-addicted teen will meet
Canada's justice minister Monday to request changes to the legal
system that will help young people conquer substance abuse.

Audrey Bjornstad, co-founder of Parents Empowering Parents, said she
wants Justice Minister Vic Toews to make four promises: to establish
specialized drug courts in all major centres, force people convicted
for drug-related crimes to take treatment, create minimum sentences
for drug trafficking and toughen up the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"I think the public has a misconception that families are trying to
keep their kids out of jail," Bjornstad said Saturday.

"We want them to be off the streets and treated until they're well."

The 44-year-old woman said it is extremely difficult for parents to
help their kids get clean once they're addicted to drugs.

When Bjornstad's 19-year-old son became addicted to crystal meth
three years ago and turned to crime to support his habit, a judge
couldn't get him into treatment because his crimes weren't serious enough.

"It's been three years of constant battling," Bjornstad said, adding
that her son is still having problems. "It was so difficult to find
treatment for our son. Many of them won't go willingly."

When a teen finally agrees that a residential drug-treatment program
is the answer, often there are no beds available, she said.

"When you tell them there's a one-month wait, you've lost them."

Bjornstad's experience prompted her to establish Parents Helping
Parents in Sherwood Park, a group that supports parents of addicts
and presses for provincial and federal changes to the justice system.