NDP CALLING FOR YOUTH CENTRE INVESTIGATION

The provincial NDP's children and youth services critic is calling
for an investigation into an addictions recovery centre in Calgary
following reports some teens were victims of abuse.

Edmonton-Strathcona MLA Rachel Notley made the call for the
investigation following question period Tuesday, where the issue was raised.

Liberal MLA Harry Chase initially called on the government to explain
how the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre is licensed and monitored.

Children's Minister Janis Tarchuk said she was concerned about the
allegations, but her ministry is not responsible for the treatment centre.

"In terms of AARC, my department does not have any capabilities or
mandate to license a non-residential addiction treatment centre," she
said during question period.

Her response, combined with Health Minister Ron Liepert's comment
that the province provides $300,000 in annual funding, is a concern,
said Notley.

"Regardless of whether the ministry of children and families does not
license this place, they have a responsibility to respond to any
complaints of abuse in the community,"she said. "The government seems
to be washing their hands of it."

She added that because judges are ordering youth to attend the
centre, the government has an obligation to ensure it is operating
with best practices.

A spokeswoman for Alberta Children and Youth Services said the
allegations of abuse are alarming, but the department's
responsibility does not include third par-ties, only cases where the
allegations are made against parents or guardians.

"We do take all reports of allegations of abuse very seriously. We do
recommend people contact police if they have been abused," Dawn Delaney said.

Alberta Health and Wellness spokesman Howard May said the ministry
has no plans to investigate the facility, pointing out any
allegations of abuse fall under the children's ministry, while
questions around the provision of drug counselling services is the
responsibility of his department.

Notley said the government has an obligation to examine the allegations.

Also troubling, said Notley, is that peers are serving as counsellors
in the facility despite having no training and without supervision.