DRUG COMMITTEE MOVING FORWARD

Group Trying To Change Community Perspective

A new committee in the South Similkameen will have its work cut out
for it trying to change people attitudes.

TheSimilkameen Drug and Alcohol Committee met on Jan. 19 for the
second time to discuss where it would like to go and what goals it
has for the future.

The committee was created by the Keremeos Village Council to help
promote awareness of the problem in the community and to provide
information for area residents.

Councillor Manfred Bauer said that so far the committee is generating
a lot of interest. Although they have only had two meetings, Bauer
said enough people have stepped forward to form the committee.

The committee includes representatives from the Regional District
Okanagan Similkameen, Area B and G, the Upper and Lower Similkameen
Indian Bands, the Village of Keremeos, Similkameen Elementary
Secondary School and members of the community.

Bauer pointed out they are hoping to encourage more members to join.
He added they especially hope to have youth and business
representatives on the committee board.

Since starting this committee one of the surprising things is just
how much people want to talk about the issue to try to raise
awareness. Bauer pointed out there is a myth in the community that
people don't want to talk about it and don't want to resolve it.

"Everyone I have talked to has been interested in this issue," added
Mike Freeman, Area G representative.

So far the committee has been busy trying to gather as much
information as possible. Bauer said one of the main goals of the
committee is to try to get information out into the community about
resources. So far it's surprising at how little resources are in the
South Similkameen.

"We have to make sure that the information gets out to the community,
both the good and the bad," he said. "There are places people can go
for help and resources to deal with this issue."

Bauer added they are planning to apply for some funding from the
provincial government to help raise awareness by doing a number of
activities in the community, which could include creating a website,
organizing a public forum on drugs and making presentations to
organizations like Similkameen Country and the school.

If people would like to join the committee they are encouraged to
call the village office. The next meeting is planned for Feb. 1.