TEEN DRUG ADDICT HELP URGED

Signatures are being collected to support MLA Mary Anne Jablonski's private
member's bill to give parents or guardians authority to force children into
drug treatment.

ReNew Hope, a support group for parents with drug-addicted children, is
circulating a petition to urge the provincial government to introduce
mandatory drug treatment legislation.

The Red Deer North MLA will introduce the bill for first reading on March 3.

"Any amount (of signatures) she can take with her is added armour to get
the bill passed," said Kim Ward, co-facilitator with ReNew Hope.

Jablonski spoke to ReNew Hope members in January and explained the intent
of Bill 202 - the Protection of Children Involved with Drugs Act.

"She just lifted everyone's spirits. There is real hope within the group,"
Ward said.

Parents know what's best and children need their help and support. That's
especially true when they're on drugs, she said.

"They don't even know what they're doing. If they are harming themselves
with drugs, they should be treated."

Under the bill, a parent who has proof that their child is using drugs
could apply to a provincial authority such as the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission (AADAC).

The parent would request the right to place the child in an accredited drug
treatment program for a year or longer. If needed, police could bring the
child to the treatment centre.

Jablonski was pleased to hear about the petition.

"It's always good to go into the legislature with a tool," the MLA said.

She also encouraged supporters to be in the legislature for readings or
debate on the bill. She could introduce them if she knew ahead of time they
were in the spectator's gallery.

The bill doesn't address building more youth treatment centres. The health
minister has submitted a budget for four more treatment facilities.
Jablonski said she will press for a one to be located in Red Deer.

Parkland Youth Homes is studying the extent of the youth drug problem in
Red Deer and researching ways to address it in preparation of a local
treatment centre.

"There's nobody saying there isn't a problem. What we really need to do is
see what it looks like and how big it is," said Parkland executive director
David Horricks.

It will take about two more weeks to complete.

He said research is inconclusive on whether forced treatment is better than
unforced.

But it's recognized that separate treatment centres are needed for adults
and children.

"Young people are changing physiologically. We know their brain is
developing and they're going through emotional changes. Drugs and alcohol
affect them differently than adults."

For more information about the ReNew Hope petition, call Kim at 391-9545 or
Penny at 340-0216.