Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 Source: Community Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 Community Press Contact: http://www.communitypress-online.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1717 Author: Joyce Cassin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) NORLOCK DARE'S TO REDUCE CRIME BRIGHTON - Rick Norlock, candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada, now has a real presence in Brighton after opening his Brighton Campaign office at 40 Prince Edward Street, Unit 4, right beside Rock Paper Scissors. Since his early retirement from the Ontario Provincial Police, Rick has been politically active in conservative politics as a candidate, riding volunteer, organizer, and past president of the CPC Northumberland Quinte West Electoral District Association. Rick led the unification process in 2004, working with the members of two Boards of Directors to bring together the conservative family in Northumberland Quinte West. He is active in his community as a member of the Warkworth Community Service Club (past president), Campbellford Rotary Club (director), Board member of a Social Housing Authority in Cobourg, former member of the Ontario Film Review Board, board member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, member of several fraternal organizations, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion. Being raised in the Ottawa Valley and serving the citizens of small towns and rural areas of eastern and northeastern Ontario, Rick has a special insight into the needs of the communities of Northumberland and Quinte West. Rick says that his past experience with the OPP and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is the reason he believes the drug trade can be wiped out in Northumberland Quinte West. "I believe the DARE program began with funding from service clubs but there is an ever-increasing need," says Norlock. "The best way to dry up the drug market is to increase the DARE program in schools. Kids will have an aversion to drugs and there will no longer be a market." He said that the program is offered in schools and is about 75 per cent effective in eliminating drug use in youth. He also believes that the judicial system has to change. "It's not all about throwing people in jail," says Norlock. "We have to provide the most effective programs for first-time offenders. We need to treat people the first time around." When it comes to healthcare, Norlock says that the Conservative government is willing to work with the provinces to ensure that hospitals and clinics have enough funding to do a good job. "The elderly are very upset in Quinte West," says Norlock. "They feel they're losing their hospital. I will work hard to ensure that the government lives up to its commitments." Unnecessary restrictions on foreign-trained doctors will be lifted, and reviews of wait times will occur. People who may obtain more timely healthcare outside their area will also be given the opportunity to travel to another city for treatment or even outside the province. His reason for getting on the campaign train is simply ethics. "I really believe in our Accountability Act," said Norlock. "It's the way government and politics should work in this country. If we make the system accountable, we'll get the best of any government." Rick lives with his wife, Judy, in the village of Warkworth. She is a Registered Nurse and the administrator of two long-term-care homes. They have two married sons and four grandchildren. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin