Pubdate: Mon, 14 Feb 2005
Source: North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The North Thompson Star/Journal
Contact:  http://www.starjournal.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The courage of a Barriere parent who came forward last week and told her 
story to our readers has set this community buzzing with enough 
determination to make significant changes to the drug addiction problems in 
this town.

The first parent through the door of my office has turned into a steady 
stream. The personal stories of each families living nightmares, their 
defeats, and their victories, have left me heart sick and privileged. 
Privileged because I have been given the most personal glimpses of the pain 
that these families have gone through and are still experiencing. Their 
stories are sobering. The chaos of drug addiction can strike anywhere, at 
anytime. No one is immune. No one can imagine the horror of addiction or 
the momentous effort that it will take to stop the abuse of drugs or alcohol.

One parent said she wished her daughter had gone to jail. Then she would 
know where she was and that she was safe.

Another recounted the story of how a drug dealer had made her child clean 
up her own blood from the floor after the dealer had viciously beaten her 
for stealing from him. She almost died from that beating, unfortunately she 
is still an addict.

I cried for the parent who's child took their own life as a result of 
depression from addiction.

These stories are incredibly sad and shocking. They are meant to be.

Through the bravery and gumption of the parents who have spoken out 
awareness of the drug abuse problem in this town has come to the forefront.

A few parents discussing the drug problem after reading last weeks paper 
grew to a large unscheduled meeting last Wednesday night that resulted in 
the forming of an association that will make Barriere a better place to 
live. Barriere Against Drugs (B.A.D.) became a reality when a group of over 
30 concerned parents, residents, and RCMP officers agreed it was time to 
take action.

This is not a vigilante mob or a witch hunt. This is where community 
support starts, with a group of committed individuals who want to make a 
difference. And they will.

It won't happen overnight, and everything won't be perfect by next week. 
However, given time the drug problems in this town will change for the 
better, and over time we will see that one brave mom will have contributed 
to saving many of our children.

We would like to thank her for the gift she has given us.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom