STEP UP AND STOMP DRUGS

The time has come for the North Island to take action against drugs.

As crystal meth creeps into our communities, we must be more diligent
than ever.

North Islanders cannot hide their heads in beach sand and pretend
that drugs are only a big city problem any more.

It is a big problem here that effects everyone, and everything from
health services to the economy to tourism.

And it will continue to grow unless more people take action.

The biggest drug users on the North Island tend to be young adults,
so educating kids before they begin drug use and coming down hard on
young adults that deal drugs are the areas to target in decreasing
the drug problem.

That means people have to step up to the plate to make a difference.

Citizens need to report to RCMP what they see or what they know.

Don't be discouraged by what appears to be inaction. Investigations
that will result in convictions take time and resources. Local
detachments have made fighting drugs a priority, and it is starting
to produce results.

Volunteers are needed too. Peer counsellors in the high schools,
facilitators for education programs and people to give their time to
groups like Citizens on Patrol and Court Watch are all needed.

The drug culture is like a weed: pervasive and persistent. Left to
itself, it will grow and flourish. Pruned, burned and deprived of
victims it dies back.

This spring do more than just say no to drugs. Say enough is enough
and help weed out drugs on the North Island.