Pubdate: Fri, 16 Mar 2007
Source: Airdrie City View (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Airdrie City View Ltd.
Contact:  http://airdriecityview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3202
Author: Dan Leahul

NO NONSENSE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS

Steve Walton Returns to Airdrie at the Behest of the Airdrie, 
Crossfield and District Youth Justice Committee

The Airdrie, Crossfield and District Youth Justice Committee is proud 
to introduce a 25-year veteran of law enforcement to Bert Church High 
School on Thursday, April 5.

Retired detective, Steve Walton, has spent the last 10 years of his 
career dealing with the Drug Unit and will be bringing his expertise 
to local Airdrie schools to provide an overview and examination of 
widely used street drugs and how they relate to today's youth culture.

Walton has supervised an undercover street team and over the years 
has seen more than 120 undercover drug operations and 780 marijuana 
drug transactions. Walton personally attended over 300 marijuana grow 
operations and has been qualified in the criminal justice system as 
an expert with respect to street drug related matters. His formal and 
informal education regarding streets drugs has provided him with 
considerable expertise in the areas of street jargon, consumption 
practices and the physiology of street drugs, the effects of use, 
street pricing and patterns of abuse.

"I think it's important for people to know what's on the streets," 
said Donna Norndon, secretary and treasurer for the Youth Justice 
Committee. "This presentation will let parents know what is out there 
and how to better protect their children from it."

Walton is a member of the California Narcotic Officers Association 
and a former member of the National Advisory Board for the Police 
Marksman Magazine. He is also a member of the advisory board and is 
an active instructor for the Addictions Studies faculty at Mount 
Royal College in Calgary and was a member of the national training 
initiative "Chemical Drugs and Dance Culture". He also acts as a 
contributing editor to the American School Health Association and is 
a drug awareness instructor for the nation wide training strategy P.A.R.T.Y.

Walton, who has spoken in Airdrie before, will take centre stage at a 
public meeting at Bert Church Theatre on April 5 between 7 and 9 p.m. 
Admission for the evening will be a donation for the Airdrie Food 
Bank, everyone is invited to attend.

He will also be touring Grade 7 classes to schools in Airdrie and 
Crossfield during the week.

Did You Know

The Airdrie, Crossfield and District Youth Justice Committee:

* Was formed in 1995, and currently operates with 10 members and 
works closely with the Airdrie Probation Officer and two RCMP liaisons.

* Is thoroughly involved with "Alternative Measures" programs with 
young offenders in which the youth is given the opportunity to make 
amends for their offence without formal sentencing from the court system.

* Is an effective intervention program with lifelong benefits for 
youth that would otherwise carry the burden of a criminal record.

* In 2006, had 53 referrals for Alternative Measures: Age 12, 3 
males, 1 female; Age 13, 1 male, 4 females; Age 14, 1 male, 4 
females; Age 15, 6 males, 1 female; Age 16, 7 males, 1 female; Age 
17, 18 males, 6 females. Their offenses included theft under $5,000, 
drug possession, assaults and fraud. Of this group, 40 alternative 
measure programs were successful, six were unsuccessful and seven 
were diverted to other jurisdictions. As a result, $1,571 was 
collected in restitution, $1,100 was donated to charity and 235 hours 
of community service was served.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine