Pubdate: Mon, 03 Dec 2007 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 FAMILIES USING DETOX LAW Drug-Addicted Kids Forced Into Treatment More than 600 families have used a new Alberta law that allows them to send their drug-addicted children to detox. Nearly half of the youths served under the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act voluntarily continued with treatment after being discharged, a review shows. But while 81 per cent of parents and guardians thought the five-day term was too short for the program, 86 per cent of youths thought it was too long. From July 1, 2006, to Aug. 31, 2007, 618 youths were admitted into the program. "It is encouraging to see that this program has been successful in connecting youth and families to the treatment they need," said AADAC chairman Harvey Cenaiko. "Without this legislation, many of these youth would not have sought the valuable treatment available at AADAC." The program has had its share of problems. Many youths returned several times, and some used the courts to successfully overturn the order to attend treatment. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek