Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jun 2009
Source: Prairie Post Southwestern (CN SN)
Copyright: 2009 Prairie Post
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/2hefXRB0
Website: http://www.prairiepost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4495
Author: Elizabeth Huber

JUNE 9TH FORUM SET TO ADDRESS DRUG USE

Huffing, ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana all make the grade amongst
many of Swift Current's youth. The scary news, drug use seems to be on
the rise.

A group of concerned citizens in Swift Current have sat up and taken
notice. They want to call the community's attention to the rising
issue of substance abuse in the city.

On June 9, a community forum will be held to identify the local
supports and resources available for the community to create an
informed response to alcohol and drug abuse.

The evening will include presentations from the RCMP discussing
current community trends and Addiction Services presenting
information, including how to recognize if someone you know is
misusing alcohol or drugs.

A few personal stories will be shared from parents dealing with
children who have dealt with or are dealing with substance abuse and
dependency.

"I think that they are going to hear a little bit about the truth of
what our community is dealing with," said Larry Kielo, Swift Current
Comprehensive High School vice-principal and member of the community
task force.

"They are going to hear a little bit about some of the efforts that
are being made by the school, by the community (and) by the RCMP."

There are scary stories out there. Ones that can really make a person
sit back and think. As the Prairie Post prepares an upcoming feature
on drugs that will be published on the heels of the community forum,
the realization is the stories are ample.

Stories include that of a youth who is first introduced to drugs
before they can even call themselves a "teenager," forced to age
beyond their years and losing the last remaining threads of their childhood.

Young girls lured into sexual acts to get another line of
cocaine.

Teenagers overdosing on ecstasy because the effects weren't felt right
away.

The list of examples continue.

"The goal of the forum is awareness," said Kielo.

"First and foremost, that there is an issue within our community
involving youth and substance use."

"The second thing is to create awareness that there is a dedicated
group of people dedicated to furthering the cause of the committee.

"And letting people know that there is a committee formed that is
going to move forward in addressing the challenges that are there."

The meeting is scheduled for June 9, in the high school's
cafeteria.

To round off the information portion of the evening several community
groups and agencies will also have booths set up to provide an
opportunity to investigate resources available in our community. They
will include: Addiction Services, Mental Health, RCMP, Alcoholics
Anonymous, Rock Solid Refuge, and Emergency Medical Services to name a
few.

There is room for a couple hundred chairs. Organizers hope all chairs
will be full with concerned parents and community members.

The forum is not only designed to bring awareness, it is also designed
to empower the community and help them to respond if they think a
youth or someone they know is using drugs.

"I think we are allowing people to sit and to listen and it will be an
environment where they can sit back and gather information, but there
will be an opportunity for questions to be asked," said Kielo.

"We have got at least one person who is going to share a little bit
about their experience with substance abuse and try to make that
connection with some people about where this person has been and what
has been successful for them in terms of their rehabilitation and what
kinds of things they have experienced throughout their life that will
be used as tools to teach others," he explained.

The forum will be held in the Swift Current Comprehensive High School
on Tuesday, June 9 from 7 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake