REPORT GOES AFTER SCOURGE OF CRYSTAL METH

CALGARY -- 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.

Three years ago, disaster nearly struck the community of Drayton
Valley, located 130 km southwest of Edmonton.

Concerned with signs of rising crystal meth use among local youth,
town council 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 for parents and
teens, Drayton Valley successfully averted a full-blown crystal meth
epidemic.