COALITIONS GATHER TO SOLVE DRUG ISSUES

Community representatives from across the province gathered in Red
Deer yesterday to build on momentum for strategies to problems caused
by alcohol and drugs.

The 2nd Annual Alberta Drug Strategy Coalition Showcase, sponsored by
the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), was held at
the Red Deer Lodge, and 57 communities were represented.

Participants were hoping momentum to exchange ideas would take
another leap forward from the proactive initiatives put forward in
last month's report from the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth.

The task force released 83-recommendations, many of them potentially
costly. They are now being studied by the provincial government.

"I think there is already momentum - passionate parents, passionate
staff," said Lindsay Young, co-chair of the Central Alberta
Addictions Consortium.

"The report validates what is already going on, reaching different
populations to do prevention and education.

"It (Showcase) is a wonderful opportunity to see what other
coalitions from other parts of the province are doing. I'm just here
to learn today," added Young.

AADAC officials emphasized this year's Showcase was an ideal
opportunity for local drug coalitions to learn about effective
building strategies and to network with other coalition members.

Murray Finnerty, AADAC's president and CEO, said his agency can not
solve the province's drug and alcohol problems alone, and that
communities from across the province must pull together.

"One area we really need to address are young adults, 18 to
30-year-olds, who are making that transition from being teenagers,"
said Finnerty, adding many recommendations from the crystal meth
report can be of use to coalition members on any substance abuse issue.

He said there has been success stories from across the province with
increasing community awareness, mobilizing young people to become
involved, and opening up knowledge on access to treatment and
prevention programs.

Finnerty acknowledged funding for new initiatives that were proposed
by the crystal meth report is currently an issue but added many
proposals on prevention and treatment can be achieved with current budgets.

RCMP S. Sgt. Ian Sanderson, who heads K Division's Drugs and
Organized Crime Awareness program, noted the community-based
coalition movement has come a long way since 2002 when there were
only three communities across the province looking at drug action coalitions.

Sanderson, who was a member of the crystal meth task force, said the
momentum of the crystal meth report was not only ongoing for forums
such as yesterday's Showcase but at drug prevention meetings across
the country.

"I think the consultation process that went on can be emulated
elsewhere because it came from the people. It wasn't just a group of
academics that dreamed up a master plan," said Sanderson. "It was
hearing from the community. It is the communities that are driving
it. That is so important towards success."

Sanderson said he understands the current challenges of having the
crystal meth report's recommendations being delayed while government
officials carefully review them. He added he does not believe they
will be shelved to "gather dust."

"Because so many people had input into it, and ownership of it, I
don't think that is going to happen," said Sanderson. "There is
significant public interest in this to keep it moving forward."