DRUG LAW AIMED AT YOUTH

Starting this month, the Alberta government added another weapon to
its arsenal in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse.

On July 1, the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act took effect.

"Youth addictions are a growing concern in our communities," said Dave
Rodney, MLA for Calgary Lougheed and Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission (AADAC) board chair.

"Specialized programs and services already exist for youth, but under
the new law it will be the first time a young person can be ordered
into detox for addictions services through a non-criminal avenue."

The new law will allow the parent or guardian of a child that is using
alcohol and/or drugs in a way that severely endangers themselves or
others to apply through the provincial court system to have the child
placed in a safe house for up to five days.

During that time, AADAC will provide detoxification services, asses if
the youth is abusing drugs and alcohol, and work with the child and
parent to develop a voluntary treatment plan once they leave the safe
house.

"This new measure will create an opportunity for recovery when
children are unable or unwilling to seek help," Rodney said.

Red Deer-North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski introduced the legislation as a
private member's bill.

It received unanimous support and Royal Assent on May 10,
2005.

Alberta is the first province in Canada to introduce this type of
legislation.

"This new law is an important addition to AADAC's continuum of youth
services," Rodney said.

"It will provide an opportunity to reach out to a child that may have
resisted seeking help voluntarily or is in danger to themselves or
others. "The program we're developing will focus on engaging the child
and their family in the hopes of creating a desire in the child to
continue with voluntary treatment."

Parents of a youth under the age of 18, who feels that their child
needs help, must first file an application through the Provincial
Court of Alberta, family court. A judge will review the application
and decide if the situation qualifies under the legislation -- if so,
the judge will issue a confinement and apprehension order.

Once the application is filed, the parent must also notify AADAC that
the application has been made and if the court has approved the
application.

Under the new law, the youth being detained also has the right to
appeal the confinement order -- a judge can reverse the original order
and release the child but cannot extend the period of confinement past
five days.