Pubdate: Wed, 23 May 2007
Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Taber Times
Contact: http://www.tabertimes.com/forms/letterToEditor.php
Website: http://www.tabertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262
Author: Jennifer Elves

TCAD EARNS PROVINCIAL AWARD

Since formation of Taber Community Against Drugs, drug-related crimes
have decreased in town, and the group's accomplishments were
recognized Friday at the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security
Crime Prevention Awards Ceremony.

By Jennifer Elves
Taber Times

Taber Community Against Drugs was among five community organizations
to receive an award Friday at the 16th annual Alberta Solicitor
General and Public Security Crime Prevention Awards ceremony, which
took place at the McDougall Centre in Calgary. Along with the five
community organizations, awards were given in categories of
individuals, police and youth leadership to 12 recipients in total.

"Making communities safer isn't just about putting more police
officers on the street and writing tougher laws. Safer communities
happen in partnership - when we all work together toward the common
goal of preventing crime," said Fred Lindsay, solicitor general and
Minister of Public Security.

When Insp. Graham Abela of the Taber Police Service, who is also a
co-chairperson of TCAD, went up to receive the award, others present
were informed TCAD takes a grassroots, community-driven approach to
preventing drug use and crime. They also heard TCAD, which was formed
in 2004, is an example of crime prevention through social development.
"TCAD as a group has done some excellent work," said Abela. "It's nice
to see that the Solicitor General is recognizing our community for its
efforts."

Some of the work TCAD has done, which was mentioned at the ceremony,
included how it played a part in getting full-time Alberta Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) services established in town, the Hooked
on Hope conference it hosted in November 2005 and the funding it
provided to a group of roughly 15 youth in town to organize a healthy
living fair to raise awareness of substance abuse.

"To me, it was just a perfect fit," said Kerry Milder, who headed the
organization of Hooked on Hope and nominated the group for the award.
"I thought they would be really worthy of winning. What we are trying
to do as TCAD is prevent drug-related crimes."

According to the Taber Police Service Crime Stats, TCAD's influence
has led to drops in drug-related offences.

In 2004, when TCAD was formed, total drug offences were listed at 128.
It dropped to 93 in 2005 and 50 in 2006. Specifically, cocaine
trafficking offences fell to four in 2006, from 10 in 2003, 27 in 2004
and 15 in 2003.

The other community organizations recognized at the event were the
Community Response to Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CRANE) in
Medicine Hat, Dunluce Crime Council in Edmonton, which discusses
community crime trends and develops action plans to address issues
that arise, Leduc's Nighthawks Community Patrol, which serves as
additional eyes and ears for the police and Security Professionals
Information Exchange (SPIE) out of Calgary, which is composed of
professionals interested in addressing emerging trends related to
security and privacy issues.

"Make no mistake, capturing criminals is not easy and Alberta's police
services are doing a top-notch job but police can't do it all on their
own. They simply can't be everywhere at once and that is why the most
powerful tool the police have in their crime-fighting arsenal is a
strong and active community," said Lindsay.

Helen Wentz, co-chairperson of TCAD, says she hopes the groups winning
of the award will encourage others in the community to help the
members by joining them in its continued efforts to reduce drug use
and trafficking in Taber.
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MAP posted-by: Derek