YOUNG ADDICTS DESERVE GOVERNMENT HELP

During the current session of the Alberta Legislature the provincial
government plans to introduce changes to the way legal authorities
deal with young people burdened by drug and alcohol addictions.

The changes include doubling the amount of time underage persons can
be held in confinement while they receive assessment.

Under current legislation young people who are abusing drugs or
alcohol can be apprehended and taken to a protective safe house for
assessment and treatment.

Since coming into effect in July 2006, detoxification and assessment
services operated under the legislation have been provided to more
than 1,500 young people.

In many of those cases, the addicted young person has received
intensive counselling and treatment, as well as followup consultations
following release.

And while it's impossible to give an exact number, the program has
certainly saved the lives of some of the young people involved, giving
them a chance to live normal lives free from the tragedy that goes
hand-in-hand with addictions.

Now the province is proposing to markedly toughen up the existing
legislation through the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Amendment
Act, which includes the following provisions:

- - Increasing the length of the confinement period from five days to 10
days;

- - Enhancing the involvement of parents and guardians;

- - Addressing pressures on police transportation services;

- - Strengthening the court order review process; and

- - Allowing the extension of a court order for an additional five days,
where appropriate in the child's interests.

The changes will markedly improve services for young addicts, says
Health Minister Ron Liepert.

"Feedback from parents, guardians, treatment program staff, police and
others indicated that amendments to this legislation would enable the
program to better support children who abuse alcohol or drugs," said
Liepert. "These changes will allow us to build upon and enhance the
positive results being achieved."

While any government legislation that restricts a person's liberty
should be carefully scrutinized and monitored by independent bodies,
the province is on the right track in its handling of young addicts.

And if the changes proposed under the new Act end up saving even one
more young person from the world of crime, poverty and sickness that
comes with drug and alcohol addiction it is worthwhile and welcome.

As long as the appropriate safeguards remain in place to ensure
addicted children are treated as patients and not as criminals, this
further restricting of their rights will serve the public good while
at the same time getting young addicts the assessment and treatment
they need and deserve.

Hopefully MLAs from all parties will come together and push this new
legislation through without delay.