Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Source: Sundre Round Up (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Sundre Round Up Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.sundreroundup.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4049
Author: Dan Singleton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

DRUG AWARENESS IN SUNDRE EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

Protecting Sundre and area youth from the illicit drug trade will 
require input from residents of all ages, according to drug awareness 
expert Sgt. Donna Hanson. A member of the RCMP's Drug and Organized 
Crime Awareness Services, Hanson made a presentation to about 60 
residents of various ages at the Sundre Community Centre last 
Tuesday. The lecture was co-sponsored by Greenwood Neighbourhood Place.

"There has to be drug enforcement but there also has to be drug 
education," said Hanson. "You can't work on it from one side only. 
You can't just work on drug enforcement and think that will solve all 
the problems. It's got to be everybody working together.

"I don't think there is any one solution to getting rid of drugs in 
small communities, there are always people who are going to try no 
matter what you say or do. The best thing to do is lessen the impact 
of the drug trade on the community.

"They can do that by identifying the drug houses in town, and then by 
going to the RCMP and saying, 'We know where they are and here's why 
we know'. They should not actually be going out and doing policing, 
or putting themselves in any danger."

She said by working with Crime Stoppers, AADAC youth coalitions, and 
other community support groups residents can help lessen the demand 
for the drugs themselves.

"Get the community involved. The community members know where the 
problems are and they can identify where the problems are and they 
can do something about it," she said.

During her lecture, Hanson told guests how to identify the various 
types of popular illicit drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine, 
methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy, and new trends such as salvia 
divinorum and tryptamine.

She also talked about the various negative impacts the drugs can have on users.

According to RCMP intelligence, Alberta youths as young as 11 or 12 
years old are now using methamphetamine, she said.

In the second part of her lecture, Hanson talked about strategies 
communities can use to head off illicit drug use among young people.

In particular she urged the community to promote youth involvement in 
community decisions, saying making youths stakeholders will empower 
them to stay drug free.

The meeting also heard that efforts are underway to form an AADAC 
Youth Coalition in Sundre.

The coalition would be comprised of a group of adult mentors and 
youth leaders who would work together to support youth in moving in a 
positive direction.

Wellness workers in both River Valley and the High School are 
spearheading the coalition project.

Wendy Tredger, family wellness worker at River Valley, said youths 
are being encouraged to volunteer for the project, with interviews 
being conducted for 8 - 10 youths in July. On Oct. 2 - 4 the adults 
and youths will hold a three-day planning meeting at Pioneer Lodge.

Anyone interested can contact Tredger at River Valley or High School 
wellness worker Karen Grudeski. Greenwood Neighbourhood Place also 
has information on the project.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom