PROVINCE LAYS OUT ITS METH STRATEGY

The Saskatchewan government has developed a strategy to help fight some
powerful drug addictions in the province. The government's crystal meth
plan includes 25 initiatives to target drug abuse through prevention,
treatment, education and a reduction of supplies used to make the drug.

Saskatchewan Health Minister John Nilson said the plan is an integrated
approach to the issue of crystal meth abuse, based on consultations
throughout the province.

The government has also appointed a legislative secretary to the premier to
look into other ways to expand on current addictions services, he said.

"We all have to work together, there's no question about that," Nilson said
Wednesday.

"This is a moving target, and as we learn more and as we find out which
parts of the province have bigger challenges or lesser challenges, then we
have to do some different things."

The plan includes a public awareness campaign, more services to help youth
withdraw from alcohol and drugs, more brief detox services for short-term
stays, and community outreach centres to help youth living on the street
and families with children dealing with severe substance abuse issues.

But the Saskatchewan Party said more should be done to help those dealing
with drug abuse issues right now. While she agrees with the plan,
Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude said the strategy doesn't make services
for addicts available quickly enough.

"They're not talking about anything happening tomorrow morning ... They're
not saying anything's going to happen in a month (and) that's not good
enough," Draude said.

"All that kind of stuff can be done immediately and should have been done."