Pubdate: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Tim Cook, Canadian Press FORMER METH ADDICT SUES DEALER REGINA -- Sandy Bergen has never had a problem wearing her troubles on her sleeve. Ever since a crystal meth overdose almost killed her 18 months ago, the 21-year-old recovering addict has told anyone who will listen about the perils of the addictive street drug. She's spoken with school kids and other addicts -- she's even told her story to politicians at the provincial legislature. It's with that same determination that Bergen has undertaken her next crusade against crystal meth. She and her parents have filed a negligence lawsuit against the person she says sold her the drug, hoping it will make dealers think twice before they peddle a substance they know has the potential to ruin lives. "It's not so much for the monetary gains," Bergen says from her home in Biggar, Sask. -- a small community west of Saskatoon. It's a suit that is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. In the U.S., several states have passed laws that allow drug dealers to be held financially liable for their crimes, but no such law here. Annalise Acorn, a law professor at the University of Alberta, says a case such as Bergen's is not necessarily frivolous. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman