Pubdate: Mon, 07 Feb 2011
Source: Meridian Booster (CN AB)
Copyright: 2011 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.meridianbooster.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.meridianbooster.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1590
Author: Murray Crawford

PREVENTION A BIG PART OF DRUG FIGHT

Community Invested in Drug Fight

After talking with both the enforcement and the rehabilitation side 
of Lloydminster's drug culture, the Booster looked into what 
prevention and awareness support the community offers.

Preventing people from getting sucked into the 'game' is a priority 
for many in the community.

While there are people hard at work helping addicts recover and even 
more people hard at work trying to get drugs off city streets, there 
are groups that work at preventing these situations from presenting 
themselves in the first place.

"We act as a resource for the community," said Kim Tradewell, member 
of the Lloydminster and Area Drug Strategy. "Our message for adults 
is be aware, care, and take action as parents, employers and within 
your neighbourhood."

The Drug Strategy committee commissioned an Ipsos Reid survey in 2008 
asking about the concerns community members had in relation to drugs.

"It's good to have that on paper," said Tradewell. "We wanted to have 
some stats so we could move this forward."

One of the survey's questions found 89 per cent of residents believe 
people abusing alcohol and drugs is a problem in both big cities and 
their community.

"As city's grow and new people come to town there's always going to 
be some percentage of that element," said Mayor Jeff Mulligan. "Drugs 
are certainly a growing concern in a growing city. The police are 
working hard to curb it."

City residents thought the issue of youth substance abuse was getting 
worse at a rate of 67 per cent, while 57 per cent said adult 
substance abuse was getting worse. Nearly a third of residents, 32 
per cent, said they'd witnessed the sale of drugs in their 
neighbourhoods or somewhere in the city.

The drug 'game' in Lloydminster has also impacted businesses. Between 
crime, 28 per cent, work related accidents, 25 per cent, absenteeism, 
18 per cent, poor work ethic, 18 per cent, and staffing, 15 per cent, 
84 per cent of businesses said they are impacted by substance abuse.

The survey also found youth substance abuse has been influenced by a 
variety of sources 35 per cent said peer pressure, 21 per cent said 
there is little or nothing to do in the community and 16 per cent 
said they have too much money to spend. Other reasons included family 
problems, cool thing to do or fun/entertainment.

Adults cited stress, 23 per cent, and too much money, 21 per cent, as 
the top reasons.

"I think there always is (a role for city hall to play)," said 
Mulligan. "We need to be plugged in where the hotspots are, if we 
need to approve different activities or level of funding, if it's a 
combination of bringing in different community groups in with police 
work, then we are at the middle of that."

The youth education side of the drug strategy focuses on peer 
pressure, positive choices and where to get healthy.

"We are trying to give them the information they need to know about 
drugs in the community and the negative effects they have," said 
Kasey Klippert, Lloydminster Community Youth Centre Outreach co-ordinator.

This is accomplished in many ways by the organization. They are 
active in local schools where they talk to the students about the 
youth centre and the impact of drugs.

"We also let them know that there is help if there is anything 
happening in their lives that they need to talk about," said 
Klippert. "There are people who can help and they can talk to out there."

On top of the school outreach the youth centre has increased hours to 
more than they've ever had before.

"The education the kids have now wasn't available before, from 
pamphlets to guest speakers, we've increased the information out 
there," said Klippert. "Having the youth centre here, the kids are 
very comfortable with us. We spend a lot of time with them and they 
come in and have no problems with approaching us and asking about 
what to do if there are drugs around."

The Lloydminster Community Youth Centre is open to all denominations 
as it is not religious based.

"There is help, there are people out here who care," said Klippert. 
"We have unconditional care at the youth centre. We're non-judgmental 
and we're here if they need."

But the most important message Tradewell and Const. Eldon Chillog had 
about the nature of drugs in Lloydminster is the important role 
community has to play.

"The biggest thing is the community needs to take part in this," said 
Tradewell. "We can't turn our heads and pretend like it isn't 
happening when we know it is."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom