HINTON DRUG ACTION COMMITTEE BACK IN ACTION

Hinton Parklander -- The Hinton Drug Action Committee (HDAC) is
spreading its wings.

Since coming together in 2003, HDAC has gone from a group brought
together with the common goal of eradicating crystal methamphetamine
from a community, to being seen as an expert in its field.

The group has seen an increase in requests for information on crystal
meth and drug abuse from the community, as well as requests from
other communities looking to start similar organizations.

The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth was in Hinton on May 2 and
met with members of HDAC.

The task force is touring the province this month, meeting with
various groups and individuals working against crystal meth.

"They were floored," said Lisa Land, project co-ordinator, of the
task force's reaction to the Hinton committee.

The group has been meeting since last December in an effort to revamp
its goals and approach to achieving those goals.

"We're still setting goals," Land said. As well as developing a
strategic plan for 2006 and the next three to five years. One of the
HDAC's new goals is to raise the awareness of the group in the
community, and to be a clearinghouse for information.

"We had a lot of information coming into us," Land said, adding that
the committee is working on a strategy to disseminate that
information when requests come in.

The group was formed in early 2003 with a focus on public education
and awareness, building resiliency in youth, detox, and finding
better resources.

The committee launched a massive public awareness campaign that took
volunteers door-to-door to educate residents about meth use, its
symptoms and its hazards.

It also delivered a number of workplace presentations that outlined
treatment options and set up a web site called methhurts.com.

The HDAC won a 2004 Solicitor General's Award for its efforts and had
its Methhurts material adopted down the road to help the Edson
Coalition Group raise public awareness.

The committee has been on the move as well, since December
representatives have gone to conferences in Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan,
Kelowna and Edmonton.

The group has also had requests to go and give presentations in other
communities.

The committee has not been as visible lately as it was in the
beginning, but that does not mean it isn't there.

"I think we're doing just as much," said Randy Smith, HDAC co-chair.

The group has changed its focus slightly from its originals intentions.

Right now, HDAC is focusing more on drug use and abuse in the
workplace, and has had several requests from local employers to give
presentations on the subject.

The group is also looking at expanding into the impact of other drugs
and substance abuse.

For more information on the Hinton Drug Action Committee, to request
information or a presentation, or to volunteer to help out with any
project or event, please call the local Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission office at 865-8263 or call Randy Smith at 740-3059.