LOCAL DRUG SUPPLY PLENTIFUL: ADDICT'S DAD

Red Deer was a drug haven for an Edmonton woman addicted to crack
cocaine and crystal meth.

"She found out how easy it is to get drugs in Red Deer. She said it
was the easiest place in the province of Alberta," said her father,
who spoke to the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth.

About 35 people -- including parents, students, health staff and
agency representatives -- discussed Alberta's growing problem with
crystal meth abuse at a task force meeting on Tuesday in Red Deer.

The Red Deer father, who didn't want to be identified, said his
27-year-old daughter lived with him for three months several years
ago. The Edmonton woman quickly fell into the local drug scene.

"She said there is more activity and it is a party city. She laughs
at people in government who think it is not a problem in Red Deer."
Red Deer has many drug houses and drugs are sold at various
businesses, said the father.

Now the daughter comes to Red Deer "to score" without telling her father.

The daughter, addicted to drugs since 13, switched to crystal meth
from crack cocaine six months ago.

Crystal meth is a little cheaper than crack and its effects last
longer. The daughter can now work in a part-time job at a video store
rather than turning tricks as a prostitute to pay for her high.

"Crystal meth is so devastating to a person's brain. She is beyond
the point of caring. She has been in and out of treatment, detox, for
the last 10 years."

The father said the success rate of treatment centres in this
province is abysmally low.

His daughter has gone through virtually every treatment program in
Alberta and nothing seems to work.

The task force meeting was closed to the media, but some participants
spoke to reporters afterwards.

Participants said youths receive powerful, effective messages about
the dangers of drugs from other youths.

"We need to give real serious consideration to that important factor
as we implement prevention and awareness initiatives," said task
force member Don Falk, superintendent of the Red Deer Public School District.

Falk said the task force also heard that laws need to get tougher on
drug dealers and allow the seizure of more proceeds of selling drugs.

"There was a feeling that our current legislation doesn't allow the
profits of drugs to be taken away from those individuals to the
extent that it should be."

The task force also heard there is a need for expanded treatment
centres that offer lengthy services.

"It was pointed out to us that addiction is lifelong thing. If you
are going to implement effective treatment programs, they have to be
long-term."

The task force is looking at building on public awareness,
prevention, treatment, legislation and enforcement.

The task force met at the Red Deer Public School District office and
will continue meeting people around Alberta for about a month.

The task force expects to draft its recommendations by October.

To provide comments or to learn more, go to:
www.gov.ab.ca/premier/cmeth/index.cfm