METH EFFECTS EVERY SINGLE ALBERTAN

Crystal Meth Is One Of The Most Addictive Drugs In The World

MLA George VanderBurg

I continue to hear more and more about the drastic problems caused in
families and communities throughout North America by crystal methamphetamine.

Crystal meth is one of the most addictive drugs in the world and it
is also one of the most difficult addictions to treat. Crystal meth
also has an effect on every single Albertan regardless of whether or
not we have even come in contact with the drug. Everyone pays the
price for extra policing, health care costs, and social supports for
addicts and their families. Most unfortunate of all is seeing the
loss of a person's potential when they fall for this destructive drug.

For the sake of our youth, it must be a priority for the Alberta
government to find solutions and take a stand against crystal meth. A
new task force will soon be leading our province's actions against
this drug and building on the good work being done by the Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) and other government departments.

The task force will travel to communities across the province to take
a look at what is happening and what needs to be done to defeat this
very serious problem. They will then coordinate the necessary actions
of the government and our communities. Members of the task force will
provide leadership, and bring a variety of experience and expertise
to the table in the areas of public health, aboriginal communities,
policing, municipalities, justice, youth, addictions, and community
services. The task force will include representatives from government
and the community, and members will be finalized in the coming weeks.

The task force will be co-chaired by Dr. Robert Westbury, currently
the chair of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community
Research, and Colleen Klein. Colleen Klein is a long-time volunteer
that has represented many organizations that support Alberta's
children and families. Her volunteer work has had an emphasis on
projects dedicated to reducing violence in our communities, caring
for at-risk youth, and improving the health and well-being of young
Albertans. Colleen Klein's passionate support for stronger action on
crystal meth abuse goes back a long time, and the work that she has
already done has helped raise awareness of the destruction that can
be brought about by this devastating drug.

Other features of Alberta's crystal meth strategy include an
education campaign aimed at children and teens, and bringing in 24
youth detoxification beds this fall to help treat meth addiction.