SASKATCHEWAN GETS TOUGH WITH TEEN ADDICTS

New Legislation Will Allow Parents To Request Involuntary Detoxification

REGINA - The Saskatchewan government introduced legislation yesterday
that will give parents and guardians the right to force drug-addicted
teenagers into detox.

"We want to make sure the rights of young people are protected.
However, we want to honour the very real desire of parents to protect
their children," Healthy Living Minister Graham Addley said.

Under the legislation, parents and guardians of teens aged 12 to 17
would ask a judge to have the youth assessed to determine if they
need involuntary detoxification for severe drug addiction. If the
judge deems the youth is in need of assessment, a warrant is issued
for the youth to be apprehended within seven days. Within 24 hours of
being apprehended, the youth will be assessed by a physician.

Following the assessment, a youth can agree to voluntary
detoxification. If they do not, they can be placed involuntarily into
detox following another assessment by a second physician.

"Once ordered, youth would be required to undergo involuntary
detoxification and stabilization within a facility that offers a safe
and protective environment for a period of up to five days. There is
a possibility of an extension, determined by physicians, to a maximum
of 15 days," Mr. Addley said.

He explained there is also an option for a community order where
there are measures available within the community that will allow the
youth to undergo detox and stabilization within 30 days.

"The individual is not actually in a locked facility. They are
actually getting the treatment involuntarily under the parents'
order," he said.

Police may also apprehend a youth without a warrant if they believe
the teen is suffering from a severe drug addiction. In this case, the
teenager would be assessed by a physician within 12 hours of apprehension.

One parent said the legislation would have been helpful with her own
drug-addicted child.

Deanna, who asked that her last name be withheld, said her
now-20-year-old daughter started using drugs when she was 16. Her
daughter has been into detox three times but has left each time and
continued using.

"We tried to get help everywhere but we couldn't get any help ... I
would have loved to have something [like this]," she said.

She said she would like to have a way to force her daughter into
detox now. However, Mr. Addley said including people over 18 would be
difficult.

"We wanted to craft [legislation] that is constitutional and can
stand up to Charter challenges. I think as soon as we start to go to
adults, at what point do you cut off that line?" he said.

The legislation also includes a process for the teen to appeal the
detox order, which must be heard by a review panel and decided upon
within 48 hours.

Beds for the involuntary detox are expected to be in a secure
Saskatoon facility, but Mr. Addley said many options are being
explored. He said he hopes the bill will be passed this fall and beds
will be ready at that time.

Opposition Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude introduced a private
member's bill with a similar intent in April, but it died on the
order paper. She said yesterday she is pleased to see the government
introducing the legislation but would have liked to have seen it sooner.

"Every day that we wait is another day when we have families that are
upset and frustrated and kids that are hurt," Ms. Draude said.