DRUG BATTLE REQUIRES QUICK ACTION

The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Methamphetamine has made 83
recommendations aimed at fighting the myriad of problems posed to
individuals and the public-at-large by the highly-addictive drug.

Centred on three principal themes - prevention, enforcement, and
healing and treatment - the recommendations represent an important
step in making the battle against crystal meth a public policy priority.

Task Force officials, including co-chair Colleen Klein, expressed
hope that by making the public aware of the dangers, solutions can be
found to stem to carnage created by the drug's proliferation
throughout Alberta.

"With the help of community leaders across the province, the task
force's recommendations will stop the abuse and negative impacts of
crystal meth on our communities, workplaces, families and young
people," said Klein, the wife of out-going Alberta premier Ralph
Klein. "We can and must work collectively to fight against the damage
of this drug."

Manufactured using a collection of household items, crystal
methamphetamine comes in a powered form of different colours. It is
smoked, injected or snorted.

The task force's numerous recommendations for treatment of people
impacted by crystal meth are positive. Those suggestions included
that, "regional health authorities should be funded to increase
walk-in capacity for prevention support, addiction services, and
mental health counselling and ensure that it is more accessible to
youth and young adults."

While caring for individuals harmed by the drug must be part of the
solution, the recommendations aimed at strengthen laws and giving the
courts and police more power to fight drug manufacturers probably
holds the most promise as far as tackling the overall problem.

The get-tough recommendations include the establishment of drug
undercover street teams in seven regions across the province,
expanded drug detection canine units for use in schools, and the
creation of local drug treatment courts.

"Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security should establish
dedicated, integrated, province-wide teams to focus on gang and
organized crime members with outstanding warrants for their arrest,"
said officials.

Task force co-chair Dr. Robert Westbury said identifying the problems
surrounding crystal meth is a good first step.

"We learned a great deal about this problem, and we listened to
individuals and groups about the best way to fight back. Together, we
can fight back and make a difference for Albertans," said Westbury.

The provincial government should quickly implement the
recommendations of the task force, particularly those aimed at the
criminal elements behind the problem.

To shelve the recommendations and hope for the best would be a
mistake Alberta cannot afford to make.