Pubdate: Wed, 18 Apr 2007
Source: Meridian Booster (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007, The Lloydminster Meridian Booster
Contact:  http://www.meridianbooster.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1590
Author: Allison Wall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IN DRUG WAR

The Vermilion River Regional Healthy Communities Coalition Is 
Weighing In On The War On Drugs.

Coalition chairman, and county reeve, Don Whittaker said the 
communities in the county of Vermilion River are working closely to 
address the issue of substance abuse and have brought in Sgt. Ian 
Sanderson to speak about crystal methamphetamine and other drugs and 
the effects on families, communities, workplaces and provincial strategies.

"Our goal is to create awareness and prevention among families and 
the community," Whittaker said. "We know there is a problem out 
there. We want to measure where we are at and deal with it."

Sanderson worked with the RCMP for 26 years in northern Alberta in 
positions such as drug prevention education, media relations, 
detachment policing and forensic identification.

More recently, he joined the Edmonton Drug Awareness Service in July 
2002. He is in charge of drug prevention education, awareness 
programs and prevention research and strategies for northern Alberta.

Sanderson has studied and spoken about the methamphetamine issue in 
Canada and the United States.

Area manager of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, Kurt 
Kimball will also be speaking.

The municipalities in the region, which started meeting one year ago, 
are aiming at having safe and drug free communities.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom