HELP NEEDED FROM CITY IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

It's A Tough Fight, Battling Drug And Alcohol Abuse In Campbell River.

"We see children born addicted to heroin or brain-damaged by prenatal
exposure to alcohol. We see children removed from homes where alcohol
and drug use prevents their families from taking loving and safe care
of them. We see young teens, at middle school and high school, using
drugs and alcohol as a recreational activity and soon facing the
negative consequences that often arise from such choices," says a
report from the Community Alcohol and Drug Action Committee (CADAC)
to council. "Many members of our community, including those directly
affected by the misuse of drugs and alcohol, want this change too. It
isn't easy and it isn't fast, but the potential for a better
community for all makes the hard worth it."

And CADAC could really use the city's help.

"We felt the city was a very important part of making this happen for
us," Denise Krivokuca told council Monday night, speaking on behalf
of CADAC's chair Gus Papagiannis.

The community organization asked council for formal support, both in
words and in dollars - the organization asked council for $5,000 per
year to sustain its programs.

"CADAC does not have any funding to operate and exists on the
determination and commitment of its members to take action and
motivate others in the community to become involved," says CADAC's report.

Council referred the financial request to the city's newly-created
commission which reviews financial aid requests from community organizations.

However, council did pass a resolution supporting the organization;
appointed a councillor to be part of the committee; and agreed to put
a link to the organization on the city's website.

CADAC was created in 2002 to find solutions to Campbell River's drug
and alcohol abuse problems.