'A WAY TO SAVE KIDS'

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, the father of the 18-year-old who
spoke to the Sun.

"I think with Bill 202, I don't think it's going to be a parents' first
choice," he said. "But Bill 202 gives you a place when you know you're at a
point where a child needs help.

"I think it's a great bill," he added.

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.

"Had (Bill) 202 been around at that time I wouldn't have had that problem,"
she said.

She had few options - hope her child would be arrested, have her declared
incompetent - available to help her daughter. She said the provincial
government can help.

"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."

She eventually got her daughter into two treatment centres to break the
addiction.

"I was very, very lucky," Lynn said.