ALBERTA TACKLES CRYSTAL METH

Ending the scourge of crystal meth addiction will be the focus of an
Alberta government 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 Alberta 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.

"One of the goals of the task force is to get out ahead of a disaster
that's already started in some U.S. towns, and even some in Alberta
as well," she said.

"In every area we've gone to, it's a problem." - Red Deer MLA Mary
Anne Jablonski, on crystal meth