Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 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: Lana Haight

CITY NEEDS DRUG REHAB CENTRE, CORONER'S JURY RECOMMENDS

Saskatchewan needs a long-term drug rehabilitation centre where the
justice system can detain addicts for treatment, a coroner's jury said
Friday.

On Friday, the three-man, three-woman jury looking into the shooting
death of a Saskatoon man by a city police officer recommended ways to
treat drug addicts, changes to how Saskatoon police officers do their
jobs, especially in dangerous areas in the city, and more education on
the risks of drug use, specifically that of methamphetamine, an
illegal street drug also called crystal meth.

Andrew Moore, 35, was fatally shot on April 30, 2004, by Const. Tim
Bayly after a brief struggle inside the Twenty-Ninth Street
Confectionery and Grocery. At one point during the scuffle, Moore
pointed a loaded .357 magnum revolver at Bayly's stomach. Bayly
reacted by shooting Moore once in the head, killing him instantly.

The jury heard from Moore's brother, David Moore, who said Andrew
started using crystal meth about two years before the shooting and was
addicted to it. He also testified that Andrew was extremely paranoid,
a characteristic of a meth addict, and was known to carry the
prohibited revolver, despite being brought up to respect firearms.

Moore told the inquest that his parents tried to get help for Andrew
but none of the agencies they contacted knew much about crystal meth.
And he expressed disappointment that the Saskatchewan government does
not fund a long-term residential treatment facility for crystal meth
addicts.

Many of the jury's recommendations, including one that would give the
justice system the power to compel addicts into treatment, echo
suggestions made at the inquest by the lawyer representing the
Saskatoon police service.

"People who testified including the family member who testified
indicated that it was a problem getting people particularly who are
suffering the effects of crystal meth to agree to go into a treatment
facility," lawyer Greg Bains said outside the courthouse.

"The jury obviously felt that additional steps should be taken to
allow the justice system to have that person placed into treatment
when the circumstances require it."

The jury recommended that the new drug treatment centre or centres be
"closed-custody" facilities.

But the coroner's counsel, Debbie Black, was disappointed the
recommendation regarding treatment didn't address crystal meth
specifically.

"As we heard from several of the witnesses, there is no crystal meth
treatment in Saskatchewan. It is a very serious problem. I think we
heard from the witnesses that crystal meth treatment requires a great
deal of time (18 months). Apparently, there may be treatment available
in Alberta," she told reporters.

During the four-day inquest, jurors were told the only long-term drug
and alcohol residential facility in Saskatchewan is the relatively new
non-profit, faith-based Prairie Hope Centre located east of Saskatoon,
near Allan.

Another of the jury's recommendations says medical professionals
should report suspected drug users to the justice system.

Saskatchewan Health will consider the recommendations, according to a
spokesperson with the department.

The jurors also made several recommendations for the Saskatoon Police
Service.

They want two-person patrols in areas where more than one officer is
required, and they want those officers to have Tasers, a weapon that
delivers an electrical jolt and stuns the target.

Changing the law to allow police officers to charge a person with a
large quantity of one of the substances needed to produce illicit
drugs was also recommended by the jurors.

The jurors also recommended that officers receive training in
identifying and dealing with drug users and that communication be
improved among police officers when they have information about
suspects. And they want more public education on the dangers of
crystal meth, specifically, and drug use, in general.

Saskatoon police need a couple of weeks to study the jury's
recommendations, says acting Insp. Neil Wylie.

"The (department) will give some serious thought to how we can
implement them and what type of impact it would have on the
organization overall," he said in an interview.

The jury's recommendations will be forwarded to Saskatchewan Justice,
which will distribute them to the appropriate agencies. 
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