CADAC - COMMITTEE WAGES WAR AGAINST DRUGS

It's a tough fight, battling drug and alcohol abuse in Campbell
River.But the Campbell River Community Alcohol and Drug Action
Committee (CADAC) is doing its best to keep up the struggle.

"We see children born addicted to heroin or brain-damaged by prenatal
exposure to alcohol. We see children removed from homes where alcohol
and drug use prevents their families from taking loving and safe
care of them. We see young teens, at middle school and high school,
using drugs and alcohol as a recreational activity and soon facing
the negative consequences that often arise from such choices," says a
report from the CADAC to Campbell River City Council earlier this
year. "Many members of our community, including those directly
affected by the misuse of drugs and alcohol, want this change too. It
isn't easy and it isn't fast, but the potential for a better
community for all makes the hard work worth it."

At the time, the community organization was asking city council for
formal support, both in words and in dollars. Council passed a
resolution supporting the organization; appointed a councillor to be
part of the committee; and agreed to put a link to the organization
on the city's website.

CADAC is at the forefront of the battle to keep crystal meth out of
Campbell River. The organization sees the best way to do that is
maintain a broad assault on drug and alcohol abuse in all its forms
throughout the community.

CADAC was created in 2002 to find solutions to Campbell River's drug
and alcohol abuse problems.

CADAC's mission statement is:

"The mission of the Community Alcohol and Drug Action Committee is to
work in harmony with others to create a sound social environment and
community response to prevent harm associated with alcohol and drug
use in Campbell River."

Formed in 2002, CADAC brings together many committed individuals from
our community who are concerned about drug and alcohol misuse in
Campbell River. They see solutions to this far-reaching problem in a
community that is more aware of these issues and takes action to
prevent the harm caused by alcohol and drug misuse. Their dream is a
safer and healthier community for all.

One of the tools CADAC has put together to fight drug abuse is the
development of a community services directory.

In order to keep each edition of the Community Services Directory as up to
date as possible, any changes or updates to services can be forwarded to
the Community Resources Directory staff person at the John Howard Society.

Education is the best tool of prevention. By becoming aware of signs
of drug and alcohol misuse, parents can better respond to their
children. Communication and dealing directly with issues are keys to
preventing a crisis. Parents can make a difference. Youth have
indicated that their parent's response to their drug use was
instrumental in them obtaining help.

CADAC also believes that empowering youth to make healthy choices for
their lives is paramount. Youth are faced with difficult decisions
every day, by providing them with good, accurate and factual
information, we can better provide them with the tools to make good
decisions for their lives. Some of CADAC's programs have been in the
schools and have focused on helping youth obtain good information and
challenging them to think about the decisions they make for their
lives. CADAC believes it takes all members of a community to create
effective solutions and bring about change. Awareness and Education
is the first step. CADAC is an open group and encourages community
members, business owners, and parents to join them. For more
information contact CADAC through the John Howard Society of North
Island.