TASK FORCE TO TACKLE METH

The ongoing fight against crystal meth in the province got another strong
ally last week with the first meeting of the premier's task force on
solutions to the crystal meth threat that features a local voice.

Drayton Valley Mayor Diana McQueen said she was approached a few weeks
ago and asked to be the representative for municipalities on the
12-person task force, being chaired by the premier's wife, Colleen
Klein. The task force is bringing together a wide range of people with
the goal of working toward addressing the problem of crystal meth in
areas such as awareness, prevention, treatment and healing as well as
looking at things such as legislation and enforcement.

"It's amazing people around the table," said McQueen. "You've got
schools, you've got pharmacy, you've got health, just such a range."

During her years as a premier's wife Klein has focussed much of her
attention on volunteering and helping children and because of this
McQueen thinks the task force is a fitting legacy for the premier and
Mrs. Klein to take on.

"This to her (Mrs. Klein) is just such a legacy that she wants to
leave so it's really quite flattering and very amazing to be working
with her," said McQueen.

The first meeting on Dec. 6, was a chance for the players to get to
know one another and talk a little bit about their collective vision
for the task force.

McQueen feels one of the reasons she was approached to take part in
the initiative was due to the work the Drayton Valley community has
been doing for years to fight the crystal meth problem, including
community programs such as Building Safer Communities and taking a
meth resolution to the federal government.

"For me it's a real pleasure to be able to forward this beyond Drayton
Valley and looking at the whole province."

She's looking forward to further meetings as the task force takes
shape and said she's honoured to be made a part of the task force.

"I'm just really proud of the premier and Mrs. Klein for taking on
this initiative," she said. "(we need to do) Anything we can do to
help kids and young people with this problem. So I'm proud this is a
legacy they want to leave."