Pubdate: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Author: Bryce Forbes GROUP TO HOST DRUG AWARENESS WEEK In the wake of eight local deaths caused by tainted ecstasy, a local organization says it will host a drug awareness week in May. After holding a cross-Canada walk last year, Drug Awareness Foundation Calgary is hoping to spend a full week focusing on the dangers of drugs. "It's very important that we keep the message going all the time," said foundation president Surinder Dyal. "What would be better than bringing it for a full week?" Last year, foundation members started April 1 in St. John's, N.L., and spent six months slowly making their way all across Canada, ending up in Victoria six months later, on Oct. 3. Along the way they raised awareness about how important family values are in preventing drug abuse and spoke with the different levels of government. This year, however, they want to focus on spreading their message in Calgary for a full week. "It's important that we keep bringing this message actively, and that's what makes the difference," Dyal said. "If you say something or do something only once a year, then it's not good enough." Dyal added the local ecstasy deaths show the chances people take when they ingest drugs. "It is something that you don't know the purity of," he said. "The first time might be the last time. . . . Sometimes people try a different combination of drugs (than) before, and that is deadly." One local MLA said drug abuse affects communities across Alberta. "Addictions come in all sorts of forms, so it's important the government and community work together to help with issues related to addictions," said Calgary-montrose MLA Manmeet Bhullar. The foundation will host a drug awareness week in the second week of May. Details are still being finalized. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom