DRUG AWARENESS IN SUNDRE EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

Protecting Sundre and area youth from the illicit drug trade will
require input from residents of all ages, according to drug awareness
expert Sgt. Donna Hanson. A member of the RCMP's Drug and Organized
Crime Awareness Services, Hanson made a presentation to about 60
residents of various ages at the Sundre Community Centre last
Tuesday. The lecture was co-sponsored by Greenwood Neighbourhood Place.

"There has to be drug enforcement but there also has to be drug
education," said Hanson. "You can't work on it from one side only.
You can't just work on drug enforcement and think that will solve all
the problems. It's got to be everybody working together.

"I don't think there is any one solution to getting rid of drugs in
small communities, there are always people who are going to try no
matter what you say or do. The best thing to do is lessen the impact
of the drug trade on the community.

"They can do that by identifying the drug houses in town, and then by
going to the RCMP and saying, 'We know where they are and here's why
we know'. They should not actually be going out and doing policing,
or putting themselves in any danger."

She said by working with Crime Stoppers, AADAC youth coalitions, and
other community support groups residents can help lessen the demand
for the drugs themselves.

"Get the community involved. The community members know where the
problems are and they can identify where the problems are and they
can do something about it," she said.

During her lecture, Hanson told guests how to identify the various
types of popular illicit drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine,
methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy, and new trends such as salvia
divinorum and tryptamine.

She also talked about the various negative impacts the drugs can have on users.

According to RCMP intelligence, Alberta youths as young as 11 or 12
years old are now using methamphetamine, she said.

In the second part of her lecture, Hanson talked about strategies
communities can use to head off illicit drug use among young people.

In particular she urged the community to promote youth involvement in
community decisions, saying making youths stakeholders will empower
them to stay drug free.

The meeting also heard that efforts are underway to form an AADAC
Youth Coalition in Sundre.

The coalition would be comprised of a group of adult mentors and
youth leaders who would work together to support youth in moving in a
positive direction.

Wellness workers in both River Valley and the High School are
spearheading the coalition project.

Wendy Tredger, family wellness worker at River Valley, said youths
are being encouraged to volunteer for the project, with interviews
being conducted for 8 - 10 youths in July. On Oct. 2 - 4 the adults
and youths will hold a three-day planning meeting at Pioneer Lodge.

Anyone interested can contact Tredger at River Valley or High School
wellness worker Karen Grudeski. Greenwood Neighbourhood Place also
has information on the project.