Looking to expand its reach and influence the former Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition has a new name and new logo. The group will now be known as Standing Tall Against Alcohol, Nicotine and Drugs, or STAAND. The new name and logo were revealed at a barbecue Wednesday at the community hall. "The coalition wanted to change the name so it wasn't just about crystal meth, but encompassed all addiction," coalition co-chair Val Campbell explained. The coalition asked for submissions from students at F.P. Walshe school for the name and logo and received more than 50 entries. [continues 219 words]
The Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition held its second workshop on Sept. 25, inviting Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission counsellor Gwen Reimer and a former addict to educate those in attendance about what some say is the most dangerous drug available today. Reimer told the close to 40 people at the community hall what crystal meth is, how it can be used, the negative effects it can have and how you can help someone who is using crystal meth. "I'm not here as an expert, but to give you sort of the nuts and bolts information about crystal meth," Reimer said. "I want to give some insight about how to help as a parent, a community or a professional." [continues 445 words]
The severe beating of an 18-year-old Stand Off man last month has brought back a flood of memories for Elvis Shot On Both Sides. "Everything I thought I had left behind me all came back," he said, adding not long ago he would break down whenever he talked about his son. Casey First Charger, was murdered two years ago in what Shot On Both Sides says was a gang-related act. Shot On Both Sides believes the same people involved in that attack were also involved in last month's attack, which saw a group of men assault August Joel Many Fingers in the early morning of July 24. Many Fingers sustained serious head injuries and was airlifted by STARS air ambulance service to Foothills Hospital in Calgary where he was listed in serious but stable condition. [continues 448 words]
One of the first keys to combatting any problem is to recognize there is a problem and Fort Macleod's Foothills Centre has taken a proactive approach to the problem of crystal meth. Program facilitator Pat Mandryk has begun a crystal meth support group he hopes will help people across southern Alberta deal with the consequences of the drug. "A lot of communities are developing coalitions and this is something more to help address the issue," he said. "It's not a huge problem right now, but it's a growing one and it would be easier to deal with it now than later when it is a huge problem." [continues 425 words]
The Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition is holding an information night on Wednesday, June 28 to introduce the community to the province's new Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act, which will come into effect on Canada Day. The information session will be held at the library at 7 p.m. Susan Cannon from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission will be the featured speaker for the evening. "Part of our mandate is to provide information to the community on addictions," coalition co-chair Val Campbell explained. "Since this act will come into effect on July 1 we thought it would be interesting for parents so they will know what options are out there. [continues 249 words]
Mike Ryan walked a long and torturous path to salvation. On Wednesday, the 53-year-old recovering addict and career criminal did his best to deter Fort Macleod children from following in his footsteps. "We feel it's important we carry a message strongly to young people that they don't want to do drugs," Ryan said. "Some of you have already started down the path. I'm going to give you a little view of where it leads." Ryan is now chief executive officer of Clean Scene, an Alberta organization dedicated to steering children away from drug use. His two presentations at F.P. Walshe school were sponsored by Fort Macleod Rural Crime Watch Association. [continues 849 words]
Community Presentations On Crystal Meth Is One Of The Key Objectives For The New Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition. The volunteer group has also decided its role is to support the proposed youth centre project and to network with other community groups. "It's very much in the beginning as to where we're going to focus our attention as a coalition," co-chair Angela Bourassa said. Eighteen people turned out Wednesday at the Foothills Centre for the third meeting of the coalition. [continues 336 words]
Fort Macleod was praised Wednesday for organizing a coalition to tackle the growing problem of crystal methamphetamine use. A representative of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission said a local solution to a problem is often the best one. "It's one of the healthiest things that can happen in a community," Leona Peters of AADAC said. Thirteen people turned out Wednesday for the Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition's second meeting, at which Angie Bourassa and Val Campbell agreed to co-chair the group. [continues 469 words]
A new Fort Macleod group is gearing up to fight the war on drugs particularly crystal methamphetamine in the community. A community information session with presentations by experts on crystal meth including a recovering addict will be organized in the new year. "We know how terrible this drug is," coalition member Murray Armstrong said. "We have to look to prevention and education." Twelve people turned out Wednesday at the Foothills Centre for an organizational meeting of the crystal meth coalition. The meeting was called by Foothills Centre director Val Campbell to gauge interest in striking a coalition to fight the spread of a drug that has been called a modern-day plague. [continues 381 words]
Fort Macleod RCMP are launching an offensive against the growing epidemic of crystal methamphetamine use in town. Police intend to educate the public about the dangerous drug and enlist citizens' help in locating clandestine labs where it is manufactured. "This stuff is more powerful and addictive than cocaine at one-sixth of the price of cocaine," RCMP Sgt. Dennis Eidet said. "It's inexpensive to make. You could set up a lab in the back of your car." Eidet and Const. Kevin Osborne had met with council last fall to discuss the growing use of the addictive drug in southern Alberta and Fort Macleod. [continues 340 words]
