TEEN ADDICT BILL MAY BE ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT

EDMONTON - A private member's bill to let parents force addicted teens into
treatment may end up as government bill, but its future is uncertain.

Justice Minister Ron Stevens praised Red Deer Tory MLA Mary Anne Jablonski
on Wednesday for bringing forward the bill. But he suggested it needs
further work because the issue is so complex.

"Mary Anne has taken on a noble cause, but it's got many different issues,"
Stevens said. "It deals with resources, it deals with programs, it deals
with constitutional issues, and I think what has been demonstrated is an
incredible desire to do something, but I think what has also been
established is a long list of issues to be addressed and a private member's
bill simply doesn't have that capacity."

Stevens said if the government decides to pursue the matter it can dedicate
the needed resources, co-ordinate the different departments that would be
involved and do it right.

Jablonski has acknowledged her bill could be subject to a constitutional
challenge for compelling teens to take treatment. She has also admitted
more treatment capacity is needed for the bill to work effectively.

Children's Services Minister Heather Forsyth said she still supports
Jablonski's bill but accepts it needs changes.

"We're working with her right now to make amendments to make it stronger,"
she said.

Health Minister Iris Evans also praised Jablonski's actions and expressed
hope money can be found to back her initiative. "The spirit of the bill,
where it talks about providing the capacity for children and families to
seek treatment, is an honourable one," she said. "We are looking, when the
budget comes out, if we can make some capacity available to these kids."

Evans said it is too early to say if the bill will come back as a
government bill at a later time.