COMMUNITY TEAM CAN RESPOND TO DRUG ISSUES

Jasper Booster -- In response to a recent editorial (June 14th
Booster), 'Working together to combat drug use' and your suggestion
that "a local committee or local community action group with a
specific focus on drugs could do considerable good here."

In Jasper, human services agencies decided a number of years ago to
form the Jasper Community Team, which is built around the big picture.
Due to the intensive, demanding and complex nature of partnership
work, it makes sense to build the collaboration around the big
picture, and to create an ongoing and stable network. With such a
structure in place, the community can respond to any project,
initiative or challenge for instance, mobilizing around an emerging
issue such as drug use as it arises.

While the team meets quarterly, the collaborative action teams (CAT)
meet monthly to discuss the ongoing and emerging issues in our
community. These groups are comprised of representatives from the
RCMP, Community and Family Services, AADAC, health care, education,
children's services, AADAC, emergency services, HIV West West
Yellowhead, ministerial association, Youth Justice Committee, outreach
workers -- to name a few -- all working together in this model to "get
things done more easily."

The Jasper Community Team