THE B.A.D. PEOPLE ARE STILL OUT THERE

Barriere Against Drugs (B.A.D) is alive and well as it approaches its
first anniversary in February 2006.

Founded by concerned residents, police, and other local organizations
who were alarmed by the growing number of crystal meth users within
the community B.A.D. vowed to make a difference and with the
assistance of the local RCMP they have.

"We don't have to be up front and center to be perceived as active,"
says a B.A.D. core group member, "The group has done a lot for the
community and support many ongoing programs such as Nar Anon, the
volunteer community patrol and parent support groups. The Barriere
RCMP have been extremely pro-active regarding substance abuse within
the community and they are continuing to be vigilante."

RCMP Constable Chad Purdy says, "Drugs in Barriere are an underground
thing. They are not found on street corners, they're brought to homes
after dark which makes them difficult to detect. Our job of
apprehending these individuals relys on people within the community
telling us about it."

Purdy stated that there is not much the RCMP can do if the community
is not supportive in their investigations.

"After B.A.D. was formed last year we had tips that assisted us in
pinpointing drug problems within the community and even out of the
community. Now that information has dried up. People have to care
enough about what is going on in their community to tell us about it."

Purdy reiterated that information and tips from the public are how
drug traffickers and those with grow ops are apprehended.

"I really encourage members of the community to call our office or
Crimestoppers if they have information we can act on." he said.

B.A.D. representatives attended the provincially sponsored meth forum
in Kamloops last week held at TRU where the statement was made that
eight per cent of students provincially say they use meth at least once a week.

Twelve pro-active adults from the Barriere area have signed-up to
take a facilitator course in Kamloops the beginning of March on "How
to drug proof your kids".

Proulx says this is an outstanding course and the project is cost
free to the 12 participants, funded by monies accessed by B.A.D.

"We are currently seeking more volunteers for our community patrol,"
said B.A.D. chair Pat Proulx, "Anyone who likes to walk can become
involved. people don't have to put their name out there. We welcome
seniors, women, any adults who like to walk and are observant."

Proulx encourages anyone interested in being a member of the
volunteer patrol to call Lisa Quiding at 672-0033 or Pat Proulx at 672-9903.

Ball caps and wristbands are on order for the B.A.D. group and will
soon be available at the Volunteer and information Centre in Barriere.