FAMILIES BACK TOUGH DRUG BILL

Legal issues may spell defeat

EDMONTON -- The provincial government must find a way to implement a bill
that would force drug-addicted kids into treatment centres, say proponents.
"It's so important," said an 18-year-old former ecstasy addict.

"You don't want to give up on a kid. I know people who won't get out and
they'll die."

Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski's Bill 202, the Protection of Children
Abusing Drugs Act, would allow parents to force drug-addicted kids into
treatment. But while the bill has passed second reading, Justice Minister
Ron Stevens said "there are serious legal issues with it" and it's likely
doomed.

Parents powerless to help their drug-addicted children would try everything
to break that addiction, said Patrick, father of the 18-year-old who spoke
to Sun Media.

"I think with Bill 202, I don't think it's going to be a parent's first
choice," he said.

"But Bill 202 gives you a place when you know you're at a point where a
child needs help."

Patrick said he spent six hours on the phone one day alone trying to find
help for his daughter, who was addicted to rave-scene drugs like ecstasy. He
called every agency. All told him to bring his daughter in, but that was the
problem.

Lynn also couldn't find help for her then-15-year-old crystal meth-addicted
daughter.

"I'd tell (Stevens) to figure this out," said Lynn. "We need to have a way
to save our kids. Parents are so powerless in this system."