It's a positive move. The Drug Task Force is calling the move of the Alberta College of Pharmacists a step in the right direction. The ACP announced that pharmacies across the province are voluntarily restricting access to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, two of the main ingredients used to produce methamphetamine, July 6. Highly Addictive Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that is affecting individuals and families throughout Alberta. The Drug Response Task Force has taken great measures to raise awareness and educate students and parents in the Battle River School Division about the addictive dangers of the drug. The task force has also published a handbook for parents, teachers and frontline staff. [continues 280 words]
Who Let The Dogs Out? The superintendent of The Battle River Regional Division recently outlined to the board, guidelines that will be included in an administrative procedure for schools that choose to use police dogs for random searches. The division's policy committee created the procedure at the request of the RCMP. Gwenda Poyser the board's chairman said the group felt it appropriate to develop a policy on random searches by police dogs in schools, based on the rise in perceived illegal drug use by youth in our region as identified by the Drug Response Task Force. [continues 58 words]
The Drug Response Task Force is not stopping. Formed in October 2002 after the results of the city's Social Needs Assessment were released, the task force was established to battle the issue of substance abuse among youth in Camrose and region. It is a coordinated group of several stakeholders including AADAC, Battle River Regional Division and the Camrose Police Service, but it is not an extension of the police service. Kerry Laberge, chairman of the task force, says while the group has made strides, it's not giving up. [continues 393 words]
The Drug Force Response Task Force is will continue to educate students, parents and the community about the dangers of drug use. The second public forum was held at CCHS Jan. 30 with about 100 parents in attendance. Chairman of the response team Kerry Laberge was pleased with the outcome. The meeting focused on parents and how they can keep their children drug free. "Everybody walked away with something of value," he said following the forum. The forums he said are not only an educational avenue but also an opportunity for dialogue. [continues 184 words]
It's ugly and it's not welcome in Camrose. The comments from local teens about the effects of crystal meth brought tears to the eyes of city councillor Mary Durand. "These are not bad kids, it's just heart breaking," said an emotional Durand. Members of the Drug Response Task Force made a presentation on the drug during council's Jan. 13 meeting. Constable Aaron Hamilton with the Camrose Police Service and a member of the DRTF explained what meth is, what parents can look for and the effects it has on users. [continues 812 words]
Keeping your children drug free is a challenge and the Drug Response Task Force is here to help. A public forum is slated for Jan. 30 at the Camrose Composite High School commons area at 7 p.m. This is the second forum the group has presented in its battle against street drugs, mainly crystal meth. The evening presentation will include representatives from various social agencies who will lend their expertise to the topic. "The intent of the forum is to provide parents with the tools they need to reduce the chance that their child(ren) will get involved with illegal street drugs," said DRTF chairman Kerry Laberge. [continues 199 words]
Parents And Concerned Citizens Are Invited To Get The Low Down On Crystal Meth. Organizers of the Drug Response Task Force are hosting an information session that has been slated for Nov. 27 at CCHS. The evening's line-up of presenters will include the Camrose Police Service, AADAC, and Mental Health. Guests will also hear how drugs impacted the life of one woman and her son. "I encourage parents in the Camrose and surrounding communities to attend this meeting and hear first-hand the horrors of crystal meth. And, to learn what steps they can take to make sure it does not become an issue in their or their children's lives," said Kerry LaBerge drug task force chairman. The meeting is aimed at both parents and students. Representatives from area agencies will also have display information available and will be on hand to answer questions. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the commons area. [end]
The presence of a School Resource Officer in Camrose schools is paying off says the Camrose Police Service. "We're spending a lot of time in the classroom building up confidence and what we saw was not necessarily incidents increasing but the comfort level of students, parents and teachers coming to us with their problems," said former SRO Lorne Blumhagen. In a presentation to city council the CPS put together a graph indicating the types of incidents reported by students and the dates they occurred. From September 1997 to June 1998 the SRO reported 71 incidents - ranging from assaults to sexual offences to drugs - in schools. That number increased to 107 from September 1998 to June 1999 and from September 1999 to date already 35 incidents have been reported. [continues 192 words]
