"Our strategies are focused to combat gang problems and violence related to gangs " ~Sgt. Dennis Fraser, CRU team NCO The signing of the Community Tripartite Agreement in Hobbema began a new era leading to CRU. The Community Response Unit is a pilot project initiated to combat gang and drug issues in and around Hobbema. "As a result, it injected 12 additional (RCMP) resources and three public servants (into the detachment)," said Sgt. Dennis Fraser, the officer in charge of the CRU team. [continues 505 words]
Wetaskiwin Community Solutions hosts Standing Strong Against Drugs conference "I'm not here to tell you drugs and alcohol are bad and you should never take them, but I want you to know you have a choice." Jenn Beaupre, one of the wild card contestants on the first series of Canadian Idol, told youth her stand against drugs and alcohol at the Standing Strong Against Drugs conference, Oct. 20 and 21. The conference, hosted by Wetaskiwin Community Solutions Substance Abuse Awareness committee, played to both adults and youth. [continues 564 words]
Times Staff -- The Conference Is Almost Free. All Residents Have To Do Is Show Up. Members of Community Solutions are hoping parents, kids and business people do show up to the upcoming Standing Strong Against Drugs conference, Oct. 20 and 21, at the Drill Hall. "All it's costing people really is their time," noted Community Solutions co-ordinator Lisa Wojna. "This is not just for service people, but for family members as well." Speakers have been chosen with special consideration for the needs of this community and those of the surrounding area. [continues 647 words]
Standing Strong Against Drugs Receives Funds From Mounted Police Foundation Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser -- Assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has proved beneficial in the fight against drugs in Wetaskiwin. The Mounted Police Foundation has made a donation of $3,000 to Wetaskiwin Community Solutions Substance Abuse Awareness Committee to host a two-day conference, Standing Strong Against Drugs, planned for Oct. 20 and 21. With funds through MPF, as well as local donations, Standing Strong Against Drugs has been put together to alert people of the dangers of drugs within their own community. Community Solutions co-ordinator Lisa Wojna noted the cost has been kept as little as possible to attract the people. [continues 510 words]
RCMP officers working in schools could be replaced with less trained individuals. An Alberta Teachers' Association publication reported one of the recommendations released in a special constable review headed by Calgary-Hays MLA Art Johnston, would be to have Level 1 community peace officers be able to hold the position of a school resource officer. These peace officers require a high school diploma and training in areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and successful completion of provincial physical abilities test. They would only be allowed to carry pepper spray. [continues 387 words]
Make a difference together. The theme for National Addictions Awareness Week, Nov. 20 to 26, is not new, but the need for communities to come together to help combat drugs and alcohol is still needed. To increase awareness of addictions in Wetaskiwin, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission is hosting a sober walk, Nov. 23 at noon. "We are meeting at the Centre on the Park and we will walk along Main Street east to the provincial building where we will host a reception," said area supervisor for the AADAC Wetaskiwin office, Pat Kelley. [continues 332 words]
More than 200 people walked through Ermineskin's area of Hobbema to raise awareness of drugs and alcohol. Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser -- Alcohol and drugs -- an issue prevalent in reserves. And members of the Ermineskin Reserve are addressing it. The band hosted its first ever walk, the Neyaskweyahk walk, April 6. "We did the walk because we know there's a problem on the reserve. Mainly with drugs. Which leads to violence and gangs. The walk is a way to tell people we will not stand for this," said walk organizer and Ermineskin office manager Joyce Larocque. [continues 523 words]
The problem isn't only in Hobbema, but Hobbema Indian Health Services is shedding light on a growing societal concern. Health services and the Family Wellness Centre are bringing the problem of addictions to the forefront during National Addictions Week, Nov. 17 to 22. Residents, members of the wellness centre and staff from the Wetaskiwin AADAC office, will be promoting awareness of addictions through a Sobriety Walk, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. The walk will kick off an entire week of events to promote addiction awareness week. [continues 221 words]
Meth is not only a Wetaskiwin problem. The drug is seeping into the county as well. Thorsby and Breton RCMP officers Cpl. Neil Pearson and Cpl. Mike Ferguson told County of Wetaskiwin councillors what the future might hold for the municipality. "We do a lot of enforcement and work hand-in-hand with the County constables. We go where we need to be," said Pearson. Pearson also asked if the County expects to have an increase in population in the Pigeon Lake area. [continues 182 words]
Drugs are at the top of the list of priorities at the Wetaskiwin RCMP detachment. In the detachment's annual business plan, drugs remained the number one agenda for the region's RCMP. "When we have spare time, this is where we will emphasize our work," said Wetaskiwin RCMP Insp. Brian Simpson. But there also isn't a great deal of spare time for officers in the City detachment. There are 18 officers here and is the sixth busiest community in Alberta. The national average of criminal case loads per officer is 67. Here, it's 198. [continues 137 words]
Although marijuana can now legally be prescribed for certain medical purposes, you won't see people lighting up medicinal joints in Hinton any time soon. Doctors have been uneasy about Health Canada's July 4, announcement to allow marijuana for medical use through the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations. Both the Canadian Medical Association and the Alberta Medical Association sent letters to federal Health Minister Allan Rock on the subject. Alberta Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. Clayne A. Steed also advised Alberta physicians to "think twice" before completing any forms for the use of marijuana. [continues 415 words]
Hinton parents have become more concerned about their children's care providers after a local infant overdosed on an illegal drug while in her babysitter's care. Although the home where the incident took place had a business licence from the Town of Hinton, it wasn't an approved day home. Since the incident, the West Yellowhead Child and Family Services Authority has fielded many questions regarding licenced childcare facilities. And there will soon be answers. Jennifer Durling, child care specialist for West Yellowhead Child and Family Services Authority was in Hinton, April 26, to talk to the local community advisory committee on that topic. [continues 226 words]
Hinton has seen a rise in some jurisdictions of crimes being committed in the area. The major areas that have seen a rise under the Criminal Code of Canada are break and enters, motor vehicle thefts and thefts. Hinton has also seen a large increase in the number of drugs charges being laid. "We've responded to the Community Advisory Committee's request to focus more on drugs and the constables have become more diligent," said Hinton RCMP Staff Sgt. Ron Fehr. [continues 216 words]
