$4 MILLION COMMITTED TO HELP YOUNG ADDICTS

The province is dedicating more than $4 million to start new drug treatment
programs for young addicts.

Calgary-Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney, who chairs the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission, said the money will establish new residential
detoxification and treatment centres in Calgary and Edmonton for youths
addicted to drugs and alcohol.

"What I'm hoping is this is the start of something great for the farther
reaches of the province, but we're going to start right here, right now,"
Rodney said.

The announcement should come as welcome news to Tory Red Deer MLA Mary Anne
Jablonski, whose private member's bill would enable parents to compel their
drug-abusing children into such units.

Jablonski and organizations that deal with teen addicts have been asking
the province to increase the number of beds in such facilities,
particularly for teens.