DRUG AWARE TO HOST THIRD-ANNUAL FORUM

Are you aware of drugs in the community?

Drug Aware, a grassroots group in the Tri-Cities, is hosting its
third-annual drug awareness forum next week, in the hopes of making
the community cognizant of how drugs impact everyday people.

Jodie McNeice, the Port Coquitlam RCMP community policing station
manager, said the group formed in 2005 to highlight the effects of
crystal meth abuse on individuals, families and communities -- but the
focus has since shifted to include all narcotics.

The committee has hosted three information forums for the community
since then, and is striving to offer information and resources for
Tri-Cities residents as a form of preventative maintenance.

"The original task force started with education, enforcement and
treatment," McNeice said. "These forums are particularly an education
piece. If we can prevent someone from getting involved in drugs, which
is what we're hoping for here, then you don't need the other two as
much."

Students at Riverside Secondary and neighbouring schools will get the
chance to listen to speakers during workshops and take in information
from displays set up in the cafeteria.

Parents and community members are welcome to attend evening sessions
beginning at 7 p.m., when guest speakers from the PoCoMo Youth
Services Society, Coquitlam RCMP and Children of the Street Society
will take to the stage.

Two films produced by Odd Squad Productions will be screened,
including Scathed, which shows how the seductive lure of crystal meth
has wrecked lives and broken dreams, and Tears for April, which
follows the short and tragic life of April Reoch as told by a newly
retired beat cop who first warned the 17-year-old to leave the street
and watched as, six months later, she was hooked on drugs and in the
sex trade.

Admission is free, and McNeice said snacks like popcorn will be
provided.

The forum is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26, with evening sessions
set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Riverside is located at 2215 Reeve St. in Port
Coquitlam. For information, visit www.drugaware.ca.