Pubdate: Mon, 06 Feb 2006
Source: Parklander, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Hinton Parklander
Contact:  http://www.hintonparklander.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/782
Author: Jessica Kerr

DELVING INTO SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Hinton Parklander -- Researchers with the Canadian Forest Service 
(CFS) are looking for Hintonites to share stories of substance abuse. 
"We were invited by Foothills Model Forest and the Town of Hinton to 
study these issues in the community," said Dr. John Parkins, a senior 
sociologist with CFS.

Parkins, along with researcher Angela Angell, has been travelling to 
Hinton since May 2005 to talk to anyone and everyone about drug and 
alcohol abuse.

"So, our interest is in substance abuse in rural based communities," 
Parkins said.

The researchers have partnered with the Town and Foothills Model 
Forest, as well as West Fraser Mills Ltd., Elk Valley Coal, 
Yellowhead Emergency Shelter for Women and the local office of the 
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission to try and find out who is 
using drugs and alcohol and why.

They hope to discover to what extent local employment conditions, 
such as shift work and minimum wage employment, combined with higher 
income levels among a large proportion of the population, contributes 
to certain social and health problems.

As well as exploring if the local industrial structure is connected 
to these issues, what the risk factors are for drug and alcohol abuse 
are and what some of the protective factors are.

The pair will use the information gathered to produce a report 
looking at the rates of substance abuse in rural, resource-based 
communities -- using Hinton as a case study community.

Parkins said he hopes to have the research and report completed by May.

Once complete, the report will be handed over to the local partner groups.

Parkins said the hope is that the findings will be able to help 
Hinton reduce substance abuse in the community.

"It's a challenging area to explore," Parkins said, and the 
researchers are looking for help.

On top of talking to the more high profile players, the research team 
is hoping to encourage Hinton residents to come out and share their stories.

Anyone interested in sharing their story is asked to contact Angela Angell.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman