SENSIBLE DETOX IDEA

THE Manitoba government has put a lot of money and talk into battling
crystal meth addictions -- an epidemic that has yet to reach this
province despite numerous warnings to date that such an evil is at the
doorstep.

The latest announcement is for money towards a locked detox centre for
youth, again characterized as an extreme, but necessary step in the
fight against the crystal meth scourge.

Judging by the rates of addiction, the province may see the few beds
there filled with young people hooked on other drugs. And that would
not be a bad thing.

Crystal meth is a serious problem in some communities, described more
specifically in British Columbia and Alberta. RCMP report and Winnipeg
police have reported the highly addictive and easily manufactured drug
is becoming increasingly popular here. Much of the talk to date has
been about getting ready for the crystal meth onslaught.

How great it might be is difficult to say. The most recent data comes
from a 2001 survey of 32 high schools and 4,680 students by the
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. It found that six per cent of
students reported moderate to serious problems with alcohol, another
six reported problems with other drugs.

Alcohol and marijuana were the drugs of choice; methamphetamine was
used by 2.7 per cent.

As part of a push by western provinces to battle crystal meth,
Manitoba launched a $6-million campaign last fall to get the word out
about the drug. On Monday, the Doer government announced another $2
million to be spent on addiction, including detox beds where children
can be held against their will but with parental consent.

Crystal meth was cited as the reason for the move, but the beds are
for any young addict whose mental health has seriously
deteriorated.

The plan will see a couple of beds opened, likely at an established
residential treatment centre.

The beds will be a welcome addition to the voluntary residential
services now available for youth.

It sounded sexy to call it a bold step in the battle against crystal
meth. Parents are more likely to see it simply is a logical resource
they can turn to as a last resort when an unco-operative child has
lost control of a serious threat to their health.