Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2006
Source: Whitecourt Star (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Whitecourt Star
Contact:  http://www.whitecourtstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/718
Author: Nicole Quintal, Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

COALITION FINDING NEW WAYS TO COMBAT DRUGS

The Whitecourt Community Drug Coalition Is Emerging With a New Sense
of Purpose and Community Support.

The Whitecourt Community  Drug Coalition is emerging with a new sense
of purpose  and community support. This fall, the coalition will be
looking at the current issues surrounding drug and  alcohol abuse in
Whitecourt and implementing new  solutions to help combat this serious
community  challenge.

Some of the core issues the coalition will focus on  include drugs in
schools, vandalism, theft related to  drug use, under-age drinking and
the production of  drugs such as marijuana and crystal meth in
Whitecourt,  Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC)
counselor and coalition member Michael Quick said.  These issues were
originally brought up at a coalition  community meeting that was held
on May 10.

"Throughout the next year, the coalition will be  working with schools
and industry on a variety of  awareness campaigns," Quick explained.
"We're going to  highlight the impact substance abuse has had on the
community as a whole, and educate students, teachers,  parents,
employers and employees about their role in  making Whitecourt a
healthier and safer community."

The group, composed of members from the Whitecourt  RCMP, AADAC, Town
of Whitecourt and Aspen Health, is  focusing on developing a sense of
both community and  belonging and using these areas as the first step
to  changing the impact that substance abuse has on the  town as a
whole. The slogan, Invest in Your Community  sums up the message the
coalition is trying to get  across: "Whitecourt belongs to all of us.
It is our  home and our community and therefore it is the
responsibility of everyone to improve Whitecourt by  working toward
solutions for the problems of drug and  alcohol abuse."

The first step toward this goal is a back to school  barbecue, which
is being held on September 9 at the  Wal-Mart parking lot between 11
a.m. and 3 p.m.

"It's for people to get a chance to learn about the  coalition, how
they can get involved and just really  put the coalition out there,"
Quick said. "We're not  just a group of people who meet in a room and
discuss  possible solutions. We are community members. We do  want
other community members to be involved and come to  a solution together."

Another community meeting will be held sometime in the  next few
months to discuss problems and solutions  relating to drug and alcohol
abuse. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake