THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT DRUGS IS HERE

When I moved to Swift Current one year ago I was amazed by a city
which was changing. There were new businesses, new attitudes - to me
Swift Current was the little city that could, a city of new promises.
Now, Swift Current is changing once again. It is growing to the next
level. It is growing in community awareness and it is empowering to
be part of that growth.

Right now, we are realizing our community - our family - is facing a
serious problem.

Drug use is not a new problem, but is it growing? That is difficult
to substantiate with numbers, but the reality is, substance use and
abuse exists and in recent months has given many people a firm swift
kick. As a reporter, I admit to being ashamed with myself for not
bringing the community's attention to the extent of drug use earlier.

Sitting through docket court, the stories were there. Young offenders
dealing with substance-use issues and trafficking charges were
certainly an indication.

Looking back, bits of information made it to our newspaper, but not
the comprehensive approach required to open up the eyes of the
community and make a difference.

As I was starting to realize the extent of drug use within the city,
so were a group of concerned individuals.

The Comprehensive High School staff and RCMP were engaged in
discussions, youth workers were noticing a change, addictions
services were seeing abuses beyond smoking, alcohol and marijuana use emerging.

What it took was everyone to start talking to each other, now it is
time to mobilize the rest of southwest.

If people want to challenge me and say there is not a problem, just
open your ears.

Community awareness is not an easy task and requires everyone take a
moment outside themselves and interact with the world that is
spinning around them.

It isn't always a pretty picture, but I would rather live in a city
trying to make a difference than a city burying its head.

In Week 1 of our four-week series Hard Drugs Harsh Realities, I
shared the stories of a young girl battling cocaine addictions and
parents of children not yet teenagers addressing substance use. I
spoke with a group of high school students who are in the "know" when
it comes to drugs - more in the know than I would ever be or
admittedly want to be.

I am amazed at their strength, at their willingness to talk to me, at
their shared need to bring their neighbours, their community's
attention to the depth of substance use.

This week, the focus has been placed on the justice system and
stories beyond the boundaries of Swift Current.

I have lived in Leader, and can assure you they effect the lives of
people there too. Just a few years ago I looked out of my family home
to see police running down the street and arresting the operators of
a substantial grow-op. I have spoken to users in trouble with the law
from Shaunavon, Maple Creek and seen people from Gull Lake stream
through the Swift Current's court house as well. Looking toward the
larger centres, I have lost track of the number of times someone has
said, "but Moose Jaw is way worse."

The justice system is only one facet of community response - a player
amongst many others.

As Swift Current RCMP Constable L. Wudrick said at the recent drug
task force forum, the RCMP can go in and arrest the traffickers, but
until the demand for drugs is diminished it only takes a moment
before another "entrepreneur," or trafficker steps in.

The last thing I intend to do with the series is give the impression
that all youth use and abuse substances or that it is a problem unto
Swift Current alone.

I have spoken to many youth who chose not to do ecstasy at a party.
In fact, I have talked to youth that wouldn't know what it even looks
like. Their stories will be shared as well.

When we examine the "bad" in Swift Current we also need to celebrate
the "good." In the meantime, we need to look at drug use as a
community issue and take action.

In the words of Ghandi, "You may never know what results come of your
action, but if you do nothing there will be no results."