Red Deer's top cop welcomes the province's plan to help shut down drug houses. Supt. Brian Simpson says new legislation will support the Red Deer RCMP's efforts to target the "neighbourhood nuisance." "I think the province has heard the message loud and clear from the public," said Simpson. "It's not just the actual criminal activity - it's everything around that activity that impacts neighbourhoods." Drug houses disrupt neighbourhoods because thefts and break-ins often increase around them. Drug buyers leave needles on yards and cause traffic congestion. [continues 445 words]
Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski is proposing to strengthen a new law that allows parents to place their drug-addicted children in detox facilities. The Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act has helped nearly 400 Alberta youths since it came into effect a year ago through a bill introduced by Jablonski. The law allows parents to apply to the courts to place children, who are endangering themselves or others with alcohol or drugs, in a safe house for up to five days. During that time, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission provides detox and assessment services and develops a voluntary treatment plan. [continues 390 words]
Alberta's crystal meth task force says the emphasis should be on treating young addicts rather than sending them to jail. The group, led by Premier Ralph Klein's wife Colleen, recommended on Tuesday that users go before special courts in the community. "I don't think we accomplish very much when we send young addicts to jail, unless we have a full treatment program in place," said Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, who sat on the task force. [continues 613 words]
Her father was gunned down by guerrillas who wanted his ranch for cocaine production. Her husband was burned with cigarettes, stuck with pins and cut by torturers. She was kidnapped, brutally beaten on the head and facing death. But, today, Martha Cortes is happy and secure. She is far from the drug wars in Colombia. She's in Canada. "I am very proud to be like all of you - Canadian," Cortes, 43, told a flag-waving crowd at Canada Day celebrations in Red Deer on Saturday. [continues 593 words]
Red Deer was a drug haven for an Edmonton woman addicted to crack cocaine and crystal meth. "She found out how easy it is to get drugs in Red Deer. She said it was the easiest place in the province of Alberta," said her father, who spoke to the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth. About 35 people -- including parents, students, health staff and agency representatives -- discussed Alberta's growing problem with crystal meth abuse at a task force meeting on Tuesday in Red Deer. [continues 442 words]
An Alberta Task Force Is Taking Steps To Tackle The Scourge Of Crystal Meth. Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, a task force member, said provincewide consultations with interest groups and organizations will be held in the next two months. Consultations with Red Deer groups that deal with drug addictions will take place in mid-May. The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth also launched its website on Sunday, allowing Albertans to send in feedback electronically. "We know in order to make a difference, we have to attack both the demand and supply of crystal meth," said Jablonski. [continues 296 words]
Three or four beds will be opened in Red Deer to help young drug addicts kick their destructive habit. The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission announced Wednesday it is preparing for new legislation that will allow parents to force their children into detox facilities against their will. Twenty beds for youths will be opened around Alberta, including several in Red Deer, in coming weeks. Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, who introduced the legislation as a private member's bill, said she can't reveal where the beds will be located at this time. [continues 362 words]
Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski has tabled a private members bill that would allow police to seize the wheels of dial-a-dope drug dealers. Jablonski said Bill 207 would also allow drivers' licences to be yanked for a year. She tabled the bill in the legislature this week and expects it to be passed in late May. "We have seen the problem of illegal drugs growing across the province," said Jablonski. "When drivers are curb crawling, looking for people to buy drugs, or when they use the dial-a-dope system, it impacts traffic safety." [continues 282 words]
Drug dealers should pay for destroying lives in a city where cocaine has become plentiful, said a Red Deer judge on Monday. Thomas Schollie sentenced Phouthauong Khamkhay to two years and two months in jail for trafficking small amounts of cocaine in the summer of 2004. His wife broke out in sobs and reached for Khamkhay's hand as he was led away by a courthouse guard. "This is the problem in Red Deer now -- "too much cocaine," said Schollie in provincial court. [continues 242 words]
The horrors faced by parents who watch their children fall prey to drug dealers continue to frustrate Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski. So Jablonski is proposing a private member's bill to crack down on drug dealers by seizing their vehicles. "I'm going after dealers and traffickers," Jablonski said on Tuesday. "One of the things I hear too often in Red Deer is 'I can't send my kid down the street because it's not safe in neighbourhoods like Rosedale.' [continues 266 words]
Patients who are high on street drugs and out of control are posing risks to hospital emergency staff, health officials said on Monday. Dr. Edmund Barker, president of medical staff for the David Thompson Health Region, said the strong economy means people have more cash to spend on illicit drugs. Some end up in emergency departments in agitated, out-of-control frenzies. In an effort to treat them, hospital staff are placed in a difficult position. Legally, staff are limited from restraining patients against their will, unless they are committed under a mental health order. [continues 252 words]
The Alberta government will fund up to four new residential youth addiction treatment centres, says Health Minister Iris Evans. She said she would like to see secure facilities that don't allow young addicts back on the streets. "We are presenting a budget and in the new year we will be working on those programs," said Evans. Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski said she'll request that one of the treatment centres be set up in Red Deer and area. [continues 313 words]
Desperate parents of drug-addicted children should have the power to force them into treatment centres, says Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski. Jablonski plans to introduce a private member's bill in March that would give parents and provincial authorities the right to place children in treatment centres - even if it's against their will. "The bill would recognize that children who abuse drugs are victims and need help and protection," said Jablonski. "It recognizes that families should be actively involved in ensuring the safety of their children, especially when they're involved in drug abuse." Jablonski said Bill 202 - the Protection of Children Involved with Drugs Act - would be the first of its kind in the world. [continues 296 words]
One of Red Deer's oldest watering holes should be turned into a detox centre to help alcoholics and drug addicts, says the owner. Geoff Goodwin said he believes the Buffalo Hotel is the best location for the detox centre and shelter proposed for downtown Red Deer. But project developers argue that the hotel is too old and costly to renovate on the limited funding provided by AADAC (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission). Goodwin said he would donate $100,000 worth of renovations and work with the society to raise $200,000 to $300,000 to finish the work. Possible donors have been identified, he said. [continues 768 words]
Central Alberta desperately needs a detox centre to reduce the high number of addiction problems in the area, the project manager said on Wednesday. The David Thompson Health Region is plagued by more addictions than the rest of Alberta, based on numerous indicators, said Jim Taylor, project development manager for the Safe Harbour Society. The Safe Harbour Society proposes to open a detoxification centre and emergency shelter for intoxicated people in a vacant building at 5409 Gaetz Ave. In a speech to the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Taylor listed 12 indicators, contained in a 2003 AADAC report, that suggest addictions are higher in the David Thompson Health Region. [continues 524 words]
