Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2006
Source: Whitecourt Star (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Whitecourt Star
Contact:  http://www.whitecourtstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/718:

GOOD FIRST STEP

Last week, as you have read in today's edition, a provincial task 
force looking at how reverse the deadly tide of crystal meth has come 
up with 83 recommendations. Among the recommendations is the 
suggestion that 300 more rehab beds be made available to Albertans. 
That's all well and good, but where are those beds going to end up.

Many people see the "drug" problem as an urban problem. While the 
number of drug abusers might be higher in the cities, the percentage 
of the rural population that is suffering is likely much higher. The 
need for access to drug rehab is just as great here as it is in 
Edmonton and Calgary.

That's why the people of influence here must work their hardest to 
influence Members of the Legislature to direct some of the energy 
spent on the war against drugs to rural Alberta.

Another of the recommendations in the task for calls on the federal 
government to strengthen laws and impose harsher penalties on the 
people who manufacture and distribute crystal meth. While 
strengthening laws should be seen as a good thing, a great deal more 
must be done to prevent people from using the stuff in the first place.

The most effective way to put anyone out of business is to take away 
their client base. The most effective way to take away the client 
base of drug dealers is through education of children. It must be an 
education that begins early in life and one that never stops.

Telling a child to "just say no" to drugs is not enough. They must be 
shown, in graphic detail what crystal meth and other illicit 
substances can do to them - physically, emotionally, financially.

Yes, there are school programs that encourage children to avoid the 
trappings of drugs and alcohol. Good, informative programs. However, 
there must be an educational process for parents, too.

Parents need to reinforce what their children learn at school. If 
they don't then the message is lost.

The people who are combatants in the war on drugs need to reinforce 
with those in government the same way. If not, then the 
recommendations from the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth will be 
lost in some government archive and crystal meth, along with a host 
of other drugs will keep marching on.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine