METH TASK FORCE READY TO TAKE ACTION

Meth Task Force Will Form a Strategy to Cope With Epidemic

Members of the Premier's task force against
crystal methamphetamine are now selected and ready to take action.
They have held their first meeting and have started working on the
problems that crystal meth causes in Alberta's communities.

The task force, announced by Premier Ralph Klein last October, will
build on the work done by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission and other government departments. It will help to
coordinate government and community-based actions, as well as review
and give advice on government strategies.

The expertise of the task force members will help our province take on
the complex problems this drug presents by organizing Alberta's
resources and communities to find the answers that address needs
locally. While each member brings a different perspective, they will
work cooperatively toward a common goal of finding solutions to combat
the threat that crystal meth poses to Albertans.

Members of the task force include: Colleen Klein; Dr. Robert Westbury,
Chair, Telus Community Board; Robert Day, Senior Vice President,
TransCanada Corporation; Don Falk, Superintendent, Red Deer Public
Schools; Murray Finnerty, Chief Executive Officer, AADAC; Mary Anne
Jablonski, MLA, Red Deer-North; Dan MacLennan, President, Alberta
Union of Provincial Employees; Diana McQueen, Mayor, Drayton Valley;
Dr. Franco Pasutto, Dean of Pharmacy, UofA; Ian Sanderson, Staff
Sergeant, Drug Awareness Unit, RCMP, 'K' Division; Bronwyn Shoush,
Director, Aboriginal Justice Initiative, Alberta Solicitor General and
Public Security; Carol Secondiak, Chair, Palliser Health Region.

In addition to awareness, prevention, and treatment, the task force
will also look at other areas such as enforcement and legislation as
part of its overall strategy.

An initial positive step was taken recently when one of the
ingredients used in the production of crystal meth, single-entity
pseudoephedrine, was moved behind the pharmacy counter. This was part
of a cooperative approach by the western provinces to control the
production of crystal meth. Restricting the sale of the main
precursors will hopefully reduce the production of this dangerous drug.

Alberta will continue to lead in the fight against crystal meth and
other drugs that steal a person's potential. We must remember that
crystal meth and other drugs affect every one of us because we all pay
the costs of health care and extra policing.

Please contact my office at 780-415-9473 if you would like to discuss
Alberta's crystal meth strategy or any other provincial issue.