YOUTH ADDICTION CENTRE URGED FOR RED DEER

The Alberta government will fund up to four new residential youth
addiction treatment centres, says Health Minister Iris Evans. She said
she would like to see secure facilities that don't allow young addicts
back on the streets.

"We are presenting a budget and in the new year we will be working on
those programs," said Evans.

Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski said she'll request that one of
the treatment centres be set up in Red Deer and area.

"You can bet your boots I'll be advocating for Central Alberta," said
Jablonski, who plans to speak to Evans in the next couple of days.

Jablonski said she will also speak to the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission (AADAC) because she believes the money will be
handled by that agency.

In the last year, Jablonski has pushed for a drug treatment centre for
Central Alberta youth.

Jablonski believes an increasing number of youth are falling prey to
drugs and turning to crime.

"I have been asking for funding for a couple of years. I was very
happy to see she (Evans) supports the need," said Jablonski.

"My second thought was it's about time."

The move toward secure facilities ties into a private member's bill
being drafted by Jablonski. She will introduce the Protection of
Minors Abusing Drugs Act in the spring session of the
legislature.

If the bill passes, it would allow parents to force their
drug-addicted children into treatment, even against their will.

Evans said any legislation would have to balance the power of an
incarceration order with an addict's rights as a child.

Evans didn't want to say how much was budgeted or where the centres
might be located, although she added that AADAC is developing a plan
for treatment facilities across the province.

"We have to have that type of facility, but we have to be very careful
with how government works with the families in that situation,
something that the courts would view kindly," Evans said.

"Incarceration without the appropriate type of legislation is
certainly something that you have to be very careful of."

At present, youths can be detained for drug treatment only of they
break the law and the courts order them to take treatment, or if they
are in the child welfare system, said Jablonski.