SARNIA-LAMBTON UNITED WAY LAUNCHES ANTI-DRUG WEBSITE

As part of the United Way's Sarnia-Lambton Drug Strategy, the
organization has officially launched www.drugfreesarnialambton.com.

"This strategy was developed from the ground up right here in our
community," said Pamela Bodkin, Community Investment Director with the
United Way of Sarnia-Lambton. "We know that no single group or
organization can tackle all of the issues or solve all of the problems
related to drug use and abuse in our community. Having a local
strategy developed by community groups, allows us to be proactive and
build a coordinated response to more effectively prevent the use and
abuse of alcohol and drugs in Lambton County as well as to reduce the
harms associated with these substances," said Bodkin. The United Way
of Sarnia-Lambton is also part of the Tri-County Drug Strategy Network
and the Provincial Drug Strategy Coordinators Network. Bodkin adds
that "These networks are very beneficial for information sharing of
best practices and resources, however, the need for individual
localized Drug Strategies is driven by differences such as drugs of
choice, demographics, and socio-economic conditions in each
community," she said.

This website addresses one of the ten priority recommendations
contained in the Sarnia-Lambton Drug Strategy. Some of the other
recommendations include substance use prevention and education
programming in schools, support groups for family members. Ensuring
proper training and information on substance use and abuse, and the
misuse of prescribed drugs is also provided to service agencies. Over
time, more and more content and resources will be added to the website
including resources for teachers and other educators in our community.

The United Way Board of Directors has committed $100,000 over a
two-year period to continue to move forward the recommendations
contained in the strategy. The United Way has also applied for
government funding to assist with the recommendations.

A complete copy of the Sarnia-Lambton Drug Strategy can be found at
www.drugfreesarnialambton.com , the United Way website at
www.theunitedway.on.ca, or by calling the United Way of
Sarnia-Lambton.