DRUG-TREATMENT BILL SCALED BACK

Some kids may still be saved, a Red Deer MLA hopes, with a weakened version
of her mandatory drug-treatment bill. Mary Anne Jablonski said yesterday
she'll retreat from the most controversial portion of her proposed law in a
deal designed to get her reluctant colleagues to vote for the remaining
provision.

"The bill had two parts. One was a five-day detoxification and assessment
period, followed by a 90-day mandatory treatment period," Jablonski explained.

Intended to allow parents to force their kids into drug treatment, the bill
had popular support but no chance of beating a court challenge, Alberta
Justice officials said.

But "a judge may be willing, if there is proof in front of him, to impose
the five-day detox," Jablonski said. "We'll drop the 90-day mandatory
treatment."

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein expressed support yesterday for the amended
private member's bill.

"I met with a number of kids, recovering addicts. Very compelling stories,"
Klein said. "These kids indicated that they had real problems with the
treatment aspect" of Jablonski's bill.

"They're saying what we should do is make it mandatory that children at
risk go into detox, and then when they are clean they can consider for
themselves if they want to take treatment.

"But to force someone into a treatment centre, might be the wrong way to go.

"That has the premier's vote. I heard from the kids, directly, and they are
the experts."

Parents, however, know a little something too, Jablonski said.

"I'll the drop the mandatory treatment for now, but I'm not going to let it
go. I'd like this to come back. It isn't over."

The bill is aimed largely at youth addicted to crack cocaine and
methamphetamine.