Pubdate: Mon, 24 Oct 2005
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Gwendolyn Richards

KLEIN TARGETS ILLEGAL DRUGS

Eradicating family violence in the province will require increased 
focus on drug use and its ripple effect on abusers and the abused, 
Premier Ralph Klein said Sunday.

Klein said Alberta has a vision for a violence-free province where 
women and children can feel safe and protected.

"All children in this world should feel safe at home in their beds, 
whether they live in South Africa or Canada. And every woman should 
be confident in standing up to her partner," he said.

"No one, absolutely no one, should endure the pain of family violence."

But, he added, reaching that point means addressing the link between 
drugs such as crystal meth and family violence.

"We have also recognized that family violence is not a problem that 
exists in a vacuum," he said.

"Other societal ills contribute to the prevalence of violence. Drug 
abuse, for example, is known to bring on violence, and being the 
victim of violence can sometimes lead to drug abuse."

The comments, part of his opening remarks at the World Conference on 
Prevention of Family Violence, echo those he made last week when he 
announced a plan to take aggressive action against crystal meth.

Part of that plan involves the creation of a task force, to be led by 
his wife, Colleen, to co-ordinate government efforts to stamp out the 
meth problem in Alberta.

He also re-emphasized that Children's Services Minister Heather 
Forsyth is working on creating legislation that would allow the 
government to take children from homes where drugs are being used.

More than 1,000 delegates representing 30 countries are in Banff for 
the four-day conference that kicked off Sunday night.

Among those taking part are 150 speakers -- police officers, 
professors, doctors and those who work with domestic violence victims 
- -- who will be highlighting some of the key issues.

The conference, organized by Alberta Children's Services, is the 
first to bring together experts and delegates from around the world, 
said ministry spokeswoman Cathy Ducharme.
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MAP posted-by: Beth