Pubdate: Tue, 02 Mar 2004
Source: Ladysmith-Chemanius Chronicle (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 BC Newspaper Group & New Media
Contact:  http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279

'BIG CITY' PROBLEMS NOT RESERVED FOR BIG CITIES

There is a popular misconception that small communities are somehow immune 
to big city problems - problems like drugs, prostitution, and organized crime.

That misconception has been debunked numerous times, but often to no avail. 
People prefer to believe that the idea that their town - be it Ladysmith, 
Chemainus or Kalamazoo - and their neighbours would never allow such things 
to carry on.

It is true that crime in Ladysmith has been on a steady decline, according 
to a study by local criminologist John Anderson completed a year or two ago.

It is also true, however, that crime still exists within our community, and 
some of it would surprise those residents who continue to hold to the idea 
that 'big city' problems only take place in big cities.

Comments from local mom Tanya Henn back that up, as does information 
provided to local teachers and parents by RCMP Const. Scott Rintoul, at two 
special presentations at Ladysmith Secondary last week.

Henn has had first-hand experience with the drug culture, through her 
daughter, and spoke out to the Chronicle recently in the hope of alerting 
other parents, and the community in general.

"Parents need to be aware that it's not just in Vancouver and Victoria that 
this is happening," Henn said. "It's here, in our town. And everyone would 
be surprised to find out just what types of kids are involved."

Rintoul, meanwhile, an expert on the synthetic chemicals that have become 
the prevalent drug-of-choice, echoed some of Henn's sentiments, noting that 
parents who are aware and knowledgeable are the best deterrent and 
prevention program for children.

Consider this a wake up call to every parent who would rather turn a blind 
eye and assume their children are 'clean' - don't make that assumption. 
Talk to your children. Understand what they're doing in their spare time, 
with their friends. Get to know their friends.

Perhaps most importantly, don't adopt the adolescent behaviour model that 
it can't happen here, to you, in our small community.

It can happen here. It already has.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom