GOVERNMENT WELCOMES RECOMMENDATIONS TO FIGHT CRYSTAL
METH

A comprehensive, ground-breaking blueprint for a strategy to battle
the scourge of crystal methamphetamine has been received by the
government of Alberta.

Following consultations with Albertans, the Premier's Task Force on
Crystal Meth has presented government with a comprehensive strategy
to fight the growing problem of crystal methamphetamine in
communities across the province.

The report contains 83 recommendations in three predominant themes:
prevention, healing and treatment and getting tough. Additional
recommendations include taking a province-wide approach, supporting
Aboriginal communities and improving services and assessing results

Government will now consider the best way to coordinate
implementation of the recommendations. Some recommendations, such as
website prevention strategies, leadership in drug education, street
and drug intelligence teams, detoxification and treatment and
evaluation and measurement will build on work already being done and
can be adopted more easily and quickly.

Other recommendations, such as law enforcement and education,
resources for treatment, support and after care, school policies,
drug testing orders and information sharing will require
collaboration across ministries.

Some of the recommendations require policy or legislative change and
in some instances coordination with federal and local jurisdictions.
These recommendations include: mobilizing communities, support for
municipal drug prevention, criminal penalties, precursor licensing
and clean-up of contaminated drug sites. Alberta has taken an active
role in lobbying for changes to federal legislation and will
consider these recommendations as the push for stronger criminal law
is continued.

The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth was announced by Premier
Ralph Klein in October 2005. Its purpose was to build on the work
already being done and to champion, review and advise on government
strategies. In preparing its final report, the Task Force consulted
with hundreds of Albertans and visited a dozen communities. In
addition to awareness, prevention, treatment and healing, the task
force considered legislation, enforcement and environmental concerns
as part of its overall strategy.

The Report and Recommendations of the Premier's Task Force on
Crystal Meth is available by calling 310-4455 toll-free or on-line
at http://www.stopmeth.alberta.ca.

I would like to personally thank Drayton Valley Mayor Diana McQueen
for all her time and efforts spent serving on this task force. Your
hard work has not gone un-noticed by Premier Ralph Klein.

As the MLA for Drayton Valley-Calmar, I am always available to
assist constituents. If you have any questions or concerns about the
recommendations of the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth, or any
other matter, I can be reached in my constituency office at
542-3355, or in Edmonton at (780) 415-9466.