SILENCE FROM COUNCILLORS ON DRUG STRATEGY WAS DISAPPOINTING

Sometimes what isn't said speaks louder than what is said, and what
hasn't been said is of concern to Terry Coleman, chief of police, and
a member of the Moose Jaw South Central Drug Strategy steering committee.

The group made a presentation to Moose Jaw City Council last week in
which it outlined the steering committee's work and provided details
about the growing use of drugs and gang-related activity in Moose Jaw.

The idea was that city council would endorse the work of the
committee, acknowledge that it understands the growing problem in the
city, and if not come up with a strategy, at least urge the steering
committee to carry on.

None of that happened in public at city council, leaving Coleman, and
likely other members of the steering committee, frustrated with what
must seem like a lack of leadership and interest on the part of city
councillors.

Coleman did admit that two councillors called him the next day to say
they would take a more active approach towards the problem - but
strangely, the identity of the councillors is a secret so far.

City council normally wants to be the first on any bandwagon that
affects the lives and safety of local citizens.

Why council wouldn't propose a motion condemning increased drug use
and gang activity and encouraging law enforcement agencies to
aggressively pursue the perpetrators is indeed baffling.

On the one hand it wants to promote the city as a safe environment for
raising families and doing business, but on the other hand, it is
deafeningly silent on measures being taken to ensure that safe
environment.

Coleman says most residents have their heads in the sand when it comes
to realizing the magnitude of the problem in Moose Jaw. It seems the
civic leaders also suffer this same head-in-the-sand affliction.

That is not the kind of leadership one would expect from a council
that in many other ways is gung-ho in looking for solutions to
problems that afflict the city and endanger its residents.