Pubdate: Sat, 12 Feb 2005
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Karen Brownlee / Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

EX-ADDICT SAYS CRYSTAL METH PLAN FALLS SHORT

REGINA -- Questions about the government's sincerity remain for those who 
have demanded a provincial crystal methamphetamine strategy.

While pleased the government has decided to act on crystal meth, advocates 
say a strategy announced this week falls short.

More money and resources are needed to deal with this drug, which users say 
is highly addictive and difficult to recover from.

"I'm glad they've finally come out with it, but I'm not really satisfied 
with it at all," said Jean McGillivary, a former crystal meth user from 
Naicam. She spoke of the addictiveness of crystal meth compared to other 
drugs in the rotunda of the legislature last November.

Addicts need a phone line to call for help rather than websites proposed in 
the government's plan. Also, more long-term rehab beds are required as 
opposed to the short-term detox spaces that were announced, she said. Not 
putting any extra funds into addressing crystal meth use, trafficking and 
production in the province is also a concern for McGillivray and others.

"I'm happy they've at least acknowledged the problem for the first time 
publicly in that way as opposed to (saying) 'Well, it can wait. It's not a 
crisis,' " said Peter Moreau, principal of Nakoda-Oyade education centre at 
Carry the Kettle First Nation. "But I'm very displeased they are not going 
to put some sort of financial push behind it."

Moreau felt the government was "sitting on its hands" when it came to the 
growing prevalence of crystal meth in the province. He is organizing a 
meeting for next month to inform his community about the drug and hopefully 
prevent people from using it.

He became aware of the drug while working in Turtleford in northwestern 
Saskatchewan. The meeting is his way of staying "ahead of the wave" that is 
coming to southern Saskatchewan.

"What it appears to me that they (the provincial government) are doing is 
trying to quell the public's agitation. . . . I believe now the public will 
say 'No, we're not satisfied with just putting the regular funds there,' " 
said Moreau.

The government will have to spend more money because of crystal meth, said 
Prince Albert Mayor Jim Stiglitz.

"If they would look at it long-term, what this drug is costing our society 
in health and things like that, you have to throw money at it to get it 
under control somewhat," said Stiglitz.

Stiglitz put forward a motion at a recent urban municipalities convention 
calling on the government to pay for more detox beds as well as education 
and enforcement. It was one of three crystal-meth related resolutions 
passed at that convention.

In announcing the strategy this week, Health Minister John Nilson 
acknowledged it mostly represents a summary of actions already being taken 
by the government in response to public demand.

Many new initiatives have already been launched as part of an alcohol and 
drug strategy being developed by the government, including providing 
additional youth stabilization services to provide a safe haven for youths, 
more "brief" detox services for addicts to stabilize from serious drug 
abuse, mobile treatment operations for northern communities, community 
outreach centres for youth and a media campaign to raise public awareness.
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MAP posted-by: Beth