NDP REVEALS STRATEGY TO COMBAT CRYSTAL METH

A new strategy from the Saskatchewan government is aiming to fight the
province's growing addiction to harmful drugs.

This past Wednesday Health Minister John Nilson released the Saskatchewan
government's new strategy for combatting the province's growing problem
with crystal meth. The strategy identifies four areas of strategic focus:
prevention, treatment, education, and reducing availability.

In recent months the Opposition Sask. Party has blasted the NDP government
for lack of a clear plan to fight the growing crystal meth problem, but the
government argued that measures were already in place. Nilson says the new
strategy has taken those existing measures and added a list of issues that
still need attention.

"This document highlights the good, effective work that is happening in
Saskatchewan through collaborative efforts of several government
departments, health regions, schools, professionals, communities, and
families," Nilson said in a prepared release. "But it also identifies that
more needs to be done."

The report says Saskatoon police reported 58 arrests or seizures of crystal
meth, up from none in 2000.

The program will target Saskatchewan's youth, Aboriginals, 'street
involved' individuals, and northern residents. It includes plans to invest
more money into treatment facilities and research, outlines a number of
ideas for enhanced drug education, and proposes the idea of tougher laws to
reduce availability.

The Sask. Party applauded the government's initiative on the crystal meth
issue, but says there is no new money to back it up.

"What concerns me is the lack of commitment to this strategy. There is just
no new money here," said Sask. Party MLA June Draude. "Will things be any
different tomorrow for families and individuals battling crystal meth as a
result of this announcement?"

Draude also said she does not understand why the government dragged its
heels on a much-needed crystal meth strategy, and that she and the Sask.
Party will now be keeping a close eye to ensure the government follows through.

Craig Featherstone of the Walter A. 'Slim' Thorpe Recovery Centre in
Lloydminster has witnessed first-hand the dramatic increase of crystal meth
in the last year. He said he is pleased by Saskatchewan's commitment to
fighting the drug, and he expects that Slim Thorpe will benefit from the
new strategy in one way or another.

"If the government is prepared to step up and provide some money for
treatment and prevention, that's extremely important," said Featherstone.
"Without government involvement, it's very difficult to go to the next
level of treatment."

Featherstone said the government announcement has come at a good time,
because the crystal meth problem is getting steadily worse.

"Drugs in general, but crystal meth in particular, are on the rise and it's
causing problems," said Featherstone. "It's becoming an epidemic in both
Alberta and Saskatchewan."

Crystal meth can be quickly and easily manufactured from over-the-counter
ingredients. It is highly addictive and can cause serious long-term damage
to the body and brain.