TASK FORCE REPORT TO TAKE AIM AT CRYSTAL METH USE

Ending the scourge of crystal meth addiction will be the focus of a
report set to be released next month by the Premier's Task Force on
Crystal Meth.

Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, a member of the task force
co-chaired by Premier Ralph Klein's wife Colleen, said the report will
recommend prevention and treatment measures before use of the
inexpensive, highly addictive drug reaches epidemic levels.

"In every area we've gone to, it's a problem," said Jablonski, who
last year tabled a private member's bill allowing parents to force
addict children into treatment.

The bill allows for parents to force their kids into five-day drug
detox sessions, and has already been used to get dozens of Alberta
kids treatment.

Among other prevention recommendations, the report will focus on the
influence of early childhood development as a possible deterrent to
future drug use.

Concerned with signs of rising crystal meth use among local youth, the
Town of Drayton Valley, 130 km southwest of Edmonton, launched a
community-wide effort to educate parents and teens on the dangers of
the drug.

Drayton Valley Mayor Diana McQueen, the community representative on
the provincial task force, said it is possible to stem the tide of a
crystal meth epidemic if resources are devoted to the problem.

"It's not the drug of choice, but this drug is so devastating that
people fall quicker when they use it," said McQueen.

By already having two RCMP staffers devoted full-time to drugs and
drug-related crimes, as well as outreach programs, Drayton Valley
averted a full-blown crystal meth epidemic.