COMMUNITY IS CONTENT AND WELL, BUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A PROBLEM

A Submitted Article By The Steering Committee And Project Team

The "yellow" community survey asked questions about the quality of life
experienced by Revelstoke citizens. Survey results show that the majority
of respondents, 86 per cent, say they are content with their lives. The
general well-being of people in community households is described as stable
by 76 per cent of survey respondents, with 16 per cent described as
improving. There is a concern however for the 13 per cent who say they are
not content with their lives, and for the seven per cent who describe their
well-being as declining.

Most people say they are coping with the stress of modern life. However,
stress is a reality for many people. Forty-two per cent responded that they
have experienced a level of personal stress or frustration in the past six
months that they felt they could not handle. Personal or family finances
were identified as the largest source of stress, followed by health and
workplace problems. Unemployment, children, marital difficulties or divorce
were also named as sources of stress. Most people (81 per cent) who
experience stress have someone or someplace to turn to for support. Support
for most people is found in friends and family, yet 28 per cent use
professional support. Over half of the respondents, 56 per cent, identified
they use their support systems one to three times per year. Twenty-one per
cent though, say they use their support system more than 20 times per year.

Substance abuse has been identified as a significant issue in the survey
results. When asked if there are problems with substance abuse in
Revelstoke, 89 per cent of respondents identified they believe, from their
own experience, that there is a problem in the community. The main form of
abuse is believed to be alcohol, by 37 per cent, and illegal drugs, by 22
per cent. However 34 per cent believe that a combination of alcohol and
drugs are abused.

Research on substance abuse in the province indicates the abuse problem in
Revelstoke is very similar to other communities of similar size and
make-up. Yet the survey results show that the health, family and social
problems associated with substance abuse are really being felt in our
community, and that it is time to work together to reduce the harm that
comes from substance abuse.

The level of community concern about substance abuse locally was confirmed
when it was identified by 65 per cent as the most important social issue
that should be addressed in the community. Family violence was named as the
second highest priority.

This survey is a key step in the creation of an action plan that will guide
social and economic development in Revelstoke over the next five years. The
final survey results are now available to the community through city hall,
the community centre, the enterprise centre, and the economic development
commission website. Watch for continuing weekly articles highlighting key
survey results. This project is directed by a steering committee made up of
18 individuals from community organizations and interested citizens.

Eleven people from the community having economic or social planning
expertise form the resource team and provide advice to the steering
committee. A project team including consultants with local, provincial and
national experience is completing the project.

We need your input!!

The Steering Committee is currently working on a draft strategic action
plan that includes goals, objectives and specific action steps. Citizens
are invited to community workshops on Monday, November 20 (3-6 pm) or
Tuesday, November 28 (6:30-9:30 pm) to review the draft plan and provide
comments. Please call Susie Salon at 837-5345 to register for these workshops.