LECLERC SHARES POWERFUL MESSAGE AT COMMUNITY FORUM

Serge LeClerc shared a powerful anti drugs and alcohol message at an
event hosted by the Swift Current and District Drug Task Force.

Serge LeClerc threw down the gauntlet of challenge to an audience of
150 people at a community forum to do something about the drug and
alcohol problem which exists among teens in Swift Current and the
Southwest.LeClerc, the guest speaker at an April 15 forum sponsored
by the Swift Current and District Drug Task Force, said concerned
community members need to step up and help protect youth from drugs
and alcohol.

"This is a life stealing addiction, drugs and alcohol, and we need to
fight it hard," LeClerc said during last Thursday's
two-and-a-half-hour meeting.

LeClerc has been on the front line of addictions recovery as the
founder and Regional Director of Teen Challenge Saskatchewan, and
he's shared his personal story with over three million people. His
personal story, shared in the book Untwisted: From Lawbreaker To
Lawmaker, pulls no punches on his growing up as a gang leader and
drug king-pin. However, he has been an outspoken proponent of helping
youth and their families overcome substance abuse problems and addictions.

He told the audience that youth are turning to drugs, alcohol and
sex, in order to build their identity and self-esteem.

"You don't do drugs or drink to feel good, you do it to stop feeling
bad," he said, highlighting the fact that youth who have a positive
identity don't feel the need to change or alter themselves.

While there is no quick fix, a strong community can provide positive
outlets for teens during their important

"What is it that we are going to do for our children in establishing
identity? What are we going to do in our community that's going to
allow that to happen for them? You have an opportunity. Look at the
numbers of you," he implored to the audience.

"There is nothing more important than taking this task on. This is
our task. This is our world. This is our society. And it can be done."

LeClerc pointed to marijuana, which has been altered to be
dangerously more potent.

"THC in marijuana is now 35 per cent, in 67 it was three per cent,"
adding that scientific research has proven the higher THC content of
marijuana leads to problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

"When the brains of our children are developing the most, we are
giving them the most addictive properties there are. Our laws have
gone sideways, where the victim is forgotten about in the justice
system, and it's all about the offender and his needs, or her needs."

He pointed to church youth groups and positive community teen
activities like dances as things which will provide positive
activities for youth to attend.

He also pointed to schools and the fact they need community support
to send a strong message to youth that they are important.

"There is no quick fix solution," he said. "We need to support our
principals, our vice-principals and our boards, because this is their
world, for eight hours a day, nine hours a day. And we need to make
their world safe. We need to tackle this drug problem."