DRUG EDUCATION FUNDING REQUESTED

Red Deer City Leaders Are Asking The Federal Government For Money To Battle
Drug Use In Youth.

A crime prevention grant would be used to educate the city's younger
community about the ill effects of drug use.

The community services director for the mid-sized city said authorities are
looking at long-term solutions for Red Deer's growing drug culture.

Colleen Jensen said public awareness needs to be expanded, although Red
Deer has beefed up its policing in locations known for drug action.

"You can't continue to muster the (police) force on a long-term basis,"
said Jensen.

The letter of intent for the program was sent to the federal government
months ago. The group expects an answer in the coming weeks.

The aggressive drug awareness program comes too late for a 25-year-old Red
Deer man who died Sunday of an ecstasy overdose.

Greg Walls reportedly took roughly 20 ecstasy pills in one sitting while
his 27-year-old friend took 10. Walls' girlfriend, Sara, also took a large
dose of the popular club drug.

The trio were rushed to hospital where Walls died. His friend was flown by
STARS air ambulance to Calgary's Foothills Hospital in critical condition.
Sara, whose friends didn't know her last name, remains in a Red Deer
hospital in stable condition.

Sources told the Herald the group of friends had been partying all weekend
and hadn't slept.

Red Deer's growing drug problem is worrisome to the region's MP.

Bob Mills said no sooner did police shut down one drug ring in the area,
than another popped up with a vengeance.

"It's a vicious circle," said Mills. "The criminal element, they know where
to get their victims. They see the market and easy bucks and they're there."

Mills said the drug culture remains strong due in part to Red Deer's large
transient community. Each year, large flocks of oilpatch workers move to
the city of 70,000. They are single and are paid well.

"Red Deer has undergone a dramatic growth," he said.

The city used to have a downtown safety task force, but the group was
disbanded this week when its duties were farmed out to other agencies.