Pubdate: Sun, 15 May 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Matthew Ramsey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

WHERE PARTIES STAND ON CRYSTAL METH

Taking A Stand: What They'd Fix, What They'd Fund And Where They'd Fund It 
. . .

1.  Which Communities Do YOU Think Need Extra Rehab Beds For Youth?

It will be in places where there's a high proportion of youth, probably in 
the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Interior and North.

- -- Brenda Locke, Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services

Methamphetamine use is a threat to communities throughout BC. The NDP 
platform doubles funding for community-based mental health and addition 
services, an increase of $34 million. We will work to identify where 
additional rehab beds are best provided.

Methamphetamine addiction and related crime is a province-wide problem and 
needs to be addressed at that level, not merely in the Lower Mainland. We 
think that all major centres require rehab beds to support those in their 
own communities who are addicted.

2.  Will YOU Commit Your Government To Establishing A Detox And Rehab 
System Where Addicts Can Get Help On Demand?

In terms of detox in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority area, addicts 
can. We've shrunk that wait time from six weeks to two days. In some cases, 
there is no wait. We think there can be [treatment on demand]. That's an 
achievable goal.

- -- Brenda Locke

The longer the wait times for detox and rehab, the less likely that 
individuals who are trying to escape from addiction will complete 
treatment. By doubling funding, we can come much closer to helping all 
addicted individuals achieve full recovery.

Yes, this is in the interest of overall harm-reduction and long-term cost 
savings by helping addicts overcome their addictions. We see long-term 
benefits to both healthcare and policing budgets from this approach.

3. Would Your Government Consider Establishing Meth-Specific Rehab Programs?

We have discussed how meth has unique characteristics with regard to how 
people detox. Every addict does have slightly unique characteristics. Meth 
is a longer detox and the psychosis aspect is also something unique and a 
different challenge for detoxing. -- Brenda Locke

There are unique challenges to treatment because users are often 
simultaneously abusing other substances, and may also be dealing with 
drug-induced psychosis. We are open to meth-specific rehabilitation 
programs if that's determined to be the best approach.

We have not decided whether meth-specific programs are the appropriate 
route or whether methamphetamine programs should be incorporated into a 
generic "4-pillars" approach to all hard drugs.

4. How Many Additional Detox And Rehab Beds Do YOU Think The Province Needs?

Recovery is difficult for very many people. Just to continue to build the 
capacity is definitely a goal. We can't define the number of beds we need 
at the moment. -- Brenda Locke

How resources are distributed will be dependent upon the advice of experts. 
However, providing an additional 100 detox beds would cost approximately $7 
million.

One in every major city province-wide with the number of beds to be 
determined based on addiction levels in each city. Our goal is to ensure 
that all regions of the province have such facilities.

5. Would Your Government Support Forced Rehab For Young PeOPLE?

We certainly do understand how parents would see that as an option. That's 
a huge discussion. I personally think that it's something we have to look 
at. -- Brenda Locke

Other jurisdictions, including Alberta, have enacted legislation that 
allows parents to force youth under 18 into treatment for a period of five 
days. We have yet to see whether this is effective, and concerns have been 
raised with respect to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

We have not reached a decision on whether rehab should be forced or 
voluntary nor under which circumstances either approach, or a balance of 
the two, would be most appropriate. In part, this position arises from 
civil rights concerns in the context of the criminal justice system.

6. Would YOU Consider Pressuring The Federal Government To Change Laws So 
People Who Buy Bulk Methamphetamine Precursors (Ingredients) Have To Be 
Licensed?

Yes, I would. I'm actually looking to see what we can do provincially. We 
may not have to have the federal government do it for us. We can do it a 
lot quicker. -- Rich Coleman, Solicitor-General

Yes. New Democrats will urge the federal government to broaden the scope of 
the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to tightly restrict access to 
crystal meth ingredients

Yes, we support the registration of compounds used for the manufacture of 
methamphetamine.

7. Would Your Government Change The Law So Addicts Need Not Commit A 
Federal Offence To End UP In Drug Court? Would YOU Consider Postponing 
Sentencing For Addicts So They Can Get TreatmENT?

If we could deal with drug prosecution provincially, I would be very happy 
to do that. We need to somehow get to mandatory treatment. The drug court 
is geared to sending people to treatment. Postponing sentencing is being 
done. -- Rich Coleman

We support an approach that maximizes the success of programs that 
emphasize getting people treatment.

For the first, item, see answer to question 5. In regard to postponing 
sentencing, we agree that this would be appropriate given our contention 
that most addicts require medical help in the form of treatment and rehab 
rather than punitive jail time.

8.  Would Your Government Establish A Training And Education Program About 
Methamphetamine And Related Issues For All Government Employees From Jail 
Guards To Social Workers?

We upgrade our training all the time with regard to drugs. The education 
and training needs to be at a level where we can get to young people. 
That's why we're working with the pharmacists [on drug awareness education] 
right now.

Yes. We also support province-wide action to target youth by developing a 
comprehensive, peer-based education program for B.C.'s schools.

Yes. The solution to methamphetamine addiction requires a multi-dimensional 
approach if society is going to succeed in eradicating it. Education by all 
those involved in both justice and support systems is essential.

9. How Would Your Government Support A Drug Early Warning System So 
Instances Such As Meth Showing UP In Ecstasy Would Be Made Public Fast?

Absolutely. If there's a way, I don't have a problem with that. If it's 
something we can do provincially, so much the better. You can't wait [for 
federal government action] on these things. -- Rich Coleman

Yes. For this to be successful there must be coordination between police 
agencies and health and social professionals working with at-risk populations.

We would support such an early warning system, but the idea requires the 
consideration of a number of issues. These include funding, which agency or 
ministry would administer the program and how the information would be 
disseminated.

10. Will Your Government Fund And Support Communities Mobilizing Against 
Methamphetamine? What Form Do YOU Think That Assistance Should Take, And 
Would YOU Advise Your Mlas To Start The Ball Rolling In Their Constituencies?

We effectively do that now. We funded Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows [on 
their community-lead Meth Watch program]. We're going to expand Meth Watch 
across the province. Absolutely [I would ask MLAs to start the ball 
rolling]. -- Rich Coleman

Yes. A key focus must be public education and prevention. NDP MLAs will 
work with police, educators, health care professionals and counselors to 
support prevention, community-based addiction services, and limiting access 
to ingredients used to produce crystal meth.

We believe that a fund of this nature could come from the seizure of assets 
of those involved in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. These 
funds should be put back into the communities affected in order to enable 
them to continue their local vigilance against methamphetamine addiction.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman