HEALTHY COMMUNITIES GROUP READY TO POST ANTI-DRUG SIGN IN MASSET

Haida Gwaii Healthy Communities Society, Beryl Parke, Arnie Bellis
and Brett Johnson have donated the money to have the first anti-drug
campaign sign made to go up in Greater Massett Area. The sign reads:
Haida Gwaii - Graham Island Community; Drug Free Zone, Just Say No,
Drug Free is the Way to Be, Get High on Life - Not on Drugs, Up With
Hope - Down With Dope.

The purpose of the sign is to continue to bring awareness to the
citizens of Greater Massett Area. The sponsors for the sign and the
anti-drug campaign for the Masset area are aware that all the
anti-drug campaigns across North America have shown greater successes
with signs with catchy slogans. Children and adults remember the
slogans and the message is imprinted on their minds - and they
continue to spread the message to other citizens.

The Anti-Drug Group for the Greater Massett area is hopeful that this
sign and others to come will demonstrate the strength of community
standing together and supporting this proactive campaign. The hope is
to realize a healthier community. To be a community that supports
positive change for both the dealers, and the users.

The group wishes to mention that they are available to support all
who are involved in the use and selling of illegal substances. For
those selling, if they wish to make changes in their life, they can
seek support from counsellors in the area -we can refer them to the
counsellors. For those using the substances the same support is
available. We need to work with both sides of this equation as it is
about community and the dealers are community members who also may
need support to quit selling. The dealers will experience financial
change if they stop. There are people who can help them learn to live
within a budget like all community members have to.

The anti-drug signs are important to the positive changes community
would like to see for the Greater Massett area. Currently the village
of Masset has no bylaws against posting signs, however it appears
even though we can put them up - the village can take them down. The
anti-drug group of concerned citizens are hopeful that the village of
Masset will not do this.

The volunteers for this campaign will be meeting on Friday evening
(July 11) at 7 pm in Masset at 1674 Main Street to go out and put up
this sign. All those who are in support of this campaign are
encouraged to come out. For more info you can contact Beryl Parke at
(250) 626-7134.