DRUG BILLS WELCOMED

Proposed federal and provincial legislation in the fight against drugs is
welcome news to the Town of Drayton Valley and the local RCMP.

Two provincial bills and one piece of federal legislation aimed at either
controlling the sale of the chemicals used in the production of
methamphetamine (crystal meth) or forcing drug-addicted children into
treatment are seen as something positive by both Mayor Diana McQueen and
Const. Daryl Scott of the Drayton Valley RCMP.

One provincial bill is West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang's Bill 204, the
Pharmacy and Drug (Methamphetamine Limiting) Amendment Act, which calls for
strict controls on the sale of legal products used in the manufacture of
crystal meth. The other is Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski's Bill 202, the
Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act, which would allow parents to
force drug-addicted children into treatment centres.

The proposed federal legislation is Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield's Bill
C-349, a bill to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would
strengthen controls on the chemicals necessary for the production of
methamphetamine. The bill would see these chemicals change from Class B
substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to Class A
substances, which would allow for the prosecution of individuals in
possession of quantities of these substances that they do not have a
licence to possess.

McQueen, a former town councillor who worked with fellow councillors and
former mayor Moe Hamdon on a 2002 resolution about monitoring the sale of
the chemicals used in crystal meth production, is encouraged by the three
bills.

"We know we have a crystal meth problem in our community and we decided to
do something about it (by adopting the 2002 resolution)," said McQueen. "To
see this proposed (methamphetamine chemical control) legislation, both at
the federal and provincial level, is fantastic.

"I think it shows that we have three levels of government working on
tackling this issue that affects all of our citizens," she said. McQueen
thinks Jablonski's bill is a good idea as well.

"Parents are really feeling frustrated that there's nowhere for them to
turn," she said. "Parents are watching their children destroy their lives
and there's nothing they can do about it."

However, McQueen said that in order for Jablonski's legislation to work,
there needs to be more drug treatment centres in Alberta to send children
to, especially centres for crystal meth addiction.

"The reality is (that) there's not enough treatment centres for youth," she
said.

Scott, meanwhile, said that although he has not specifically seen the
proposed drug legislation, he believes, in principle, that the three bills
have merit.

"I think they're great starting points," he said. "There's no doubt about
that."

He said some might see Jablonski's bill as a case of the state intervening
in parental affairs, but he said what is at stake is the welfare of
children in need of treatment for drug addictions.

"We can debate and work through that (the state intervention question), but
we need to get help for those kids," said Scott. "They need immediate
attention."

However, Scott said that, as with any legislation, there needs to be public
support in order for the three bills to be effective (if they become laws).

"People need to buy in," he said.