ANTI-DRUG GROUP OPEN TO NEW IDEAS AND MEMBERS

PARRY SOUND - Based on the number of people that attended the first
Helping Addicts Restore Themselves (HART) meeting last fall, HART
chair Gail MacDonald says she thought support for the organization
was be tremendous. However, along with Ms MacDonald, the three
concerned mothers who founded this group say that since its initial
meeting last fall, the number of people attending its meetings has
steadily dwindled.

Additionally, the founders say they were disappointed with the
turnout of parents when they brought in former NFL all-star Alvin
Powell this spring to give an anti-drug talk to high school students
as well as their parents. Through his company Saving Station
Foundation, Mr. Powell draws on his own personal struggle with drugs
to dissuade young people from getting involved.

"We had hundreds of children at those shows who were overwhelmed and
loved it. And at the evening shows we had maybe 40 parents," said
HART chair Gail MacDonald. "I'm a little frustrated that we didn't
get a lot more parents showing up to our meetings."

HART's newest board member Jenn Bentley said that parents need to
stop pretending that their children aren't affected by drugs, and
that there isn't a drug problem in the area.

"There's a huge culture of denial in this town and it's not just
about drugs. If one child struggles with addiction, it affects us
all. And, one is too many to pretend that it's not happening," said Ms Bentley.

The anti-drug group wants to bring Mr. Powell back to Parry Sound at
some point in the future to conduct a follow-up meeting.

"Mr. Powell talks about creating a network around your child that's
solid and that works. It's things like every week you have a urine
test--it's not maybe you're tested-- you're tested every week. You go
to so many 12-step meetings, you go to school, you work part-time,
you volunteer," said Ms MacDonald. "We have to look at this problem
seriously. I'm still always so amazed that people still say, 'There's
a drug problem in this town?' And I think, 'Where have you been.' I'd
like to see more parents jump on board, give a damn."

HART has been working to bring a detox centre to town, and it also
would like to open up a drop-in centre for local youth. Currently, a
needs study is being conducted by consultant Peter Dean to determine
if the area can support a detox centre. The study is expected to take
about eight weeks. He is meeting with stakeholders, including
officials from the Community Mental Health and Addiction Outreach
agency, and West Parry Sound Health Centre's grants officer John Lee,
who will also help to secure provincial and federal funding for the facility.

"We need a drop-in centre or a community centre, something for these
kids to do other than sit on a bench outside the liquor store," said
HART member Ms Bentley. "We're not doing anything to support our
kids. How can we expect them to grow if we don't support their needs?"

Last year, HART tried to hold a "take back the neighbourhood" event
in Parry Sound's harbour, but had to cancel it because of lack of
funding. They are interested in hearing any ideas community members
may have to make this event a success. Call 774-9111 for more
information about HART.