PREGNANT WOMAN ARRESTED

EDMONTON -- A 33-year-old woman, who is seven months pregnant, has been
charged with sniffing lacquer thinner after she was seen inhaling the toxin
on a street.

The name of the woman, who has no fixed address, is not being released.
She'll appear in court today.

Sgt. Bryan Boulanger, a police spokesman, said the woman has been caught
sniffing toxins before.

She was first charged in January with inhaling intoxicating vapors under the
Public Health Act of Alberta.

Boulanger said holding people in custody on the charge is rare, but so is
this case.

"(The officer) felt he had reasonable probable grounds that she would
continue committing the offence," he said.

"We have a responsibility to public safety and this could be defined as
exactly that -- a public safety issue. We take pride in the fact that we are
being pro-active.

"The medical problems this unborn child may face are going to cost the rest
of society." We will, in a sense, be responsible for it."

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett