LEARN TO STAND STRONG AGAINST DRUGS THROUGH CONFERENCE

Times Staff -- The Conference Is Almost Free. All Residents Have To
Do Is Show Up.

Members of Community Solutions are hoping parents, kids and business
people do show up to the upcoming Standing Strong Against Drugs
conference, Oct. 20 and 21, at the Drill Hall.

"All it's costing people really is their time," noted Community
Solutions co-ordinator Lisa Wojna. "This is not just for service
people, but for family members as well."

Speakers have been chosen with special consideration for the needs of
this community and those of the surrounding area.

In an effort to address drugs in the workplace, a special, and free,
session is planned on Friday afternoon for employers. "So often we
are going to the business community for support so we wanted to do
something specifically for them," Wojna noted. "That's why we're
putting on the drugs in the workforce seminar."

Julian Madigan, the other speaker for the session, will focus on a
wide range of topics including from recognizing early signs of drug
abuse to helping an addicted employer/employee; the impact of
substance abuse on safety and the workplace; and identifying if you
are at risk or if your co-worker is putting you at risk.

Following the workshop for employers, there will be a youth event:
Follow Your Dreams with 2005 Canadian Idol Wildcard Finalist Jenn
Beaupre, from 7 to 9 p.m. Beaupre will share her stand against drug
and alcohol use and favour the audience with her unique brand of
musical talent.

"Beaupre is such a firecracker. She will be great," said Wojna.
"She's had friends killed in drunk driving accidents and he hopes to
have a song ready about that incident."

There is no charge for either the employer session or the youth
event, but registration is still encouraged.

A $10 registration fee is being charged for Saturday, and this fee
includes lunch. Cheques or money orders should be made out to the
City of Wetaskiwin and mailed to 5010 50 Avenue, Wetaskiwin Alberta,
T9A 0S4. Please include your name, address, and phone number. The
registration must be paid before Oct. 10.

"We need a head count for lunch for the caterers and that is why we
are having the registration," said Wojna. "You can register at the
Family and Community Support Services."

The Oct. 21 section of the workshop, taking place at the Drill Hall
will begin with registration at 8:45 a.m., followed by a welcome from
Mayor Don Montgomery. Then it will be a day chock-full of speakers
speaking on many drug-related topics.

9:30 a.m. -- Patricia Morgan, Love Them as They Are: Morgan, the
author of Love Her As She Is, Lessons from a Daughter Stolen by
Addictions, is a clinical psychologist and motivational speaker who
will share her experiences from a parent's point of view.

10:50 a.m. -- Julian Madigan, Know the Score: Madigan was at one time
an Olympic hopeful, but saw his dreams melt away as a result of drug
use. Now he shares his experience with particular poignancy, reaching
out to youth whenever possible.

12 p.m. -- Edmonton City Coun. Karen Leibovici, Know Your Neighbour
program: Leibovici will be joined by the Green Team -- a group of
speakers, which also features a representative from the Edmonton Real
Estate community. They will talk about mobilizing the community in
the fight against drugs.

1:00 p.m. -- Serge LeClerc: Challenges and Choices

LeClerc, born the product of a rape and living most of his life on
the streets or in jail, shares his transformation, steps to obtaining
an education and drive to reach out to others struggling with substance abuse.

2:20 -- Sgt. Ian Sanderson: Drug-proof yourself: Sanderson will be on
hand to provide information on the current drug trends, as well as
equipping those attending with the best possible information on how
to drug-proof yourself and your children.

The day will end at 4 p.m.with a panel discussion.

"Personally for me, having dealt with drug issues, I'm interested in
Pat Morgan," said Wojna.

She is also looking forward to Julian Madigan after speaking with his
father on the phone.

"His father told me gangs attack children at an emotional level to
get them to join," she recalled.

"Julian speaks at that level, but he believes in using that for a
positive outcome -- against drugs."