Pubdate: Wed, 10 May 2006
Source: Caledonia Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Fort Saint James Courier
Contact:  http://www.caledoniacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3189
Author: Ray Bertrand
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

PREVENTION NEEDED IN DRUG WAR

There is a story about the fellow having a picnic near the banks of a 
swift flowing river.

Suddenly his family function is disturbed by the cries of someone 
drowning. He rushes to the riverbank to see a young lady going down 
for the third time. He swims to her side, manages to hold her head 
above water and brings her to shore.

Minutes later, while his wife is consoling the woman, the man hears 
another cry. Again he swims out to bring another person to shore. 
This time he barely makes it back when he sees someone else 
struggling in the murky waters.

How many of us have felt exasperated with constantly rescuing people 
(friends, families, etc.) struggling through the waters of life?

Wouldn't it be simpler to go upstream and erect a barrier to stop the 
people from slipping into the torrid current? Wouldn't it be more 
cost effective? Wouldn't it make sense? OH! Did I say something wrong?

Making sense doesn't always seem to work. Our focus is tied up with 
rescuing our loved ones, our friends and relatives. The barrier I am 
speaking of is called prevention.

Prevention starts at home, in our schools and in society. Our 
television programs are rampant with graphic images of violence, 
promiscuous sexual activities, loose morals, and "party 'til you 
puke" attitudes. Drug culture, rampant alcoholism and immoral 
lifestyle have become the subject of our movies.

The role models our children and teenagers are exposed to leave a 
bitter taste in my mouth.

As a professional, I am called upon to pick up the pieces, to save 
the person from drowning (often in their own vomit). I would like to 
see a concerted effort from communities to educate and mentor our 
young and our siblings.

Many of these young people have tremendous potential. This potential 
needs to be explored and nurtured. Our society is filled with the 
leaders of tomorrow.

Vancouver Mayor, Philip Owen was instrumental in pioneering the "Four 
Pillar Approach". This was handed down to his successor Larry Campbell.

The premise is simple. We need to work on four areas to reduce the 
devastation caused by substance misuse. These are: prevention, 
treatment, enforcement and harm reduction.

Experts throughout Canada agree we cannot enforce our way through 
this situation. Enforcement is a band-aid solution. We need more 
prevention programs to enable youth to make positive decisions not to 
use drugs or abuse alcohol. Your comments are always welcome.

You may contact me at (250) 613-2667, mailing address: PO Box 1150, 
Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0 or e-mail me at - - Fort Alcohol & Drug Services 996-8411

- - Stop the Violence Counsellor 996-8083

- - Fireweed Safehaven 996-8000

- - Nak'azdli Health Centre 996-7400

- - Tl'azt'en Nation Health Centre 648-3350

- - Nechako Valley Community Services 996-7645
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman