News Releases

New measures to help protect Manitoba communities against the devastating effects of crystal meth,  including mandatory procedures for decontamination and assessment of children found in home-based meth labs, were announced today by Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and Attorney General Dave Chomiak.

 

“Children in meth labs are the most at risk due to highly toxic and explosive chemicals, as well as emotional and physical deprivation,” said Mackintosh. “As another piece of Manitoba’s meth strategy, this protocol is a further effort to stay ahead of the threat of meth, relying on the most promising practices across North America.”

 

Manitoba’s new Drug Endangered Children Protocol builds on a nation-leading package of measures to keep families and communities safe from the dangers of crystal meth.  The protocol sets out safety and medical measures as a response to the acute risk faced by children exposed to chemicals used in meth production.

 

The province will also be providing more than $1 million in operating funding for the youth stabilization facility that provides a safe, secure environment where youth can withdraw from the acute effects of substances and work with service providers to consider their options for treatment.  In addition, the province is investing $1.5 million to construct a permanent, 10-bed youth stabilization facility which will include both the mandatory stabilization beds as well as additional beds for voluntary stabilization.

 

“Our government has invested in a spectrum of services to improve access to mental-health and addictions supports across Manitoba,” said Irvin-Ross.  “By focusing on a combination of areas including prevention, intervention, outreach and facility-based care, we are providing continuous support to those affected and their families.”

 

The Youth Addictions Stabilization Unit has seen more than 49 youth.  Following assessment by addictions specialists, 34 were issued stabilization orders.  Over 70 per cent of the youth who completed stabilization orders have chosen to go on to community or residential addictions treatment.

  

Chomiak said Manitoba will intensify efforts to ensure the federal government moves ahead on tightening licensing to control the bulk importation and distribution of materials used to manufacture crystal meth.  He said historic funding for 30 additional police officers announced in Budget 2007 will further bolster law-enforcement resources to shut down meth labs.

 

“Manitoba’s sweeping meth strategy strikes at the root of the potential scourge of crystal meth,” Chomiak said.  “New tools for police combined with tough penalties, training for front-line responders and strong legislation is helping Manitoba win the fight against this deadly drug.”

 

The Drug Endangered Children Protocol announced today is enabled by the Child and Family Services Act and supplements Manitoba’s Unified Takedown Protocol unveiled in June 2006.  It requires the following:

·         decontamination of a child by emergency services personnel in specialized trailers or tents using a series of showers;

·         provision of uncontaminated clothing;

·         assessment of a child’s immediate health condition by medically-trained personnel and transfer to a medical facility if there is obvious injury or illness;

·         assessment by child and family services personnel for safety, risk and ongoing planning, considering the unique factors related to meth;

·         consideration of debriefing or therapy to deal with the experience; and

·         special arrangements with foster parents for full medical assessments at 30 days and one year.

 

The protocol also addresses issues of staff exposure and training for workers.  In the United States, children have been found in as many as one in three meth labs.  Children have been injured and killed and thousands have been taken into foster care.

 

The province also today unveiled a newly-designed web site on Manitoba’s meth strategy.  The site at http://www.manitoba.ca/methstrategy offers a broad range of resources for families and communities on crystal meth.

 

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