AIDS BOW VALLEY HOSTING DRUG INFO SESSION NIGHT

AIDS Bow Valley is getting the word out about dangerous drugs during
Predatory Drug Awareness Week, which is held from July 26-31.

Predatory drugs are those used to facilitate sexual assaults, and peer
health educator Hana Thorson said the most common one is alcohol.

"During the week, throughout all those evenings we're going to be out
during our regular bar blitzes but we're going to be talking about
predatory drug awareness," she said.

There will also be a facts and myths information session held
Wednesday, July 29 at the Senior Centre at 7 p.m. discussing the
dangers of predatory drugs.

The information night was originally going to be held in a smaller
location, but Thorson said they've moved to the bigger venue because
they anticipate a larger crowd after the recent sexual assault in Banff.

The assault, which took place on Squirrel Street, shocked Banffites
after a young woman was beaten and sexually assaulted. Police had
arrested a suspect in the case but since released him, and no new
suspect has been apprehended.

Groups like Bow Valley Victim Services, Alberta Addictions and Mental
Health, AIDS Bow Valley and the RCMP will talk about predatory drugs,
which can include GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine.

Because of the recent late night assault, AIDS Bow Valley is also
planning to meet with various community groups to discuss how they can
work together to make Banff a safer place.

"It's kind of a bit of a reaction (to the sexual assault)," Thorson
said.

"It comes up a lot in our board meetings.

"It's basically for any community group that wants to get included to
collaborate on how we can prevent these things from happening."