COUNSELLOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW YEAR

If Bill Turner has his way, drug-use will never have the opportunity to
proliferate in Agassiz-Harrison. The addictions counsellor says his
determination has been buoyed by the support he has received from both
communities to stem the flow of marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth and other
drugs before the problem reaches the crisis levels of neighbouring areas.

Turner is excited about the coming year, in which he plans to work closely
with other community partners ?" including both municipal councils ?" to
focus heavily on education and prevention. At the civic level, councils can
act to control the number of pawn shops that want to open up here, and
ensure no retailers begin selling drug paraphanalia, as has occurred in
other Lower Mainland communities.

On tap for Feb. 23 is another community presentation in Harrison that will
delve deeply in drug issues. It will offer a slightly more visceral slant
than the previouos forum, with a replica marijuana grow-op on display and a
laying out of the assorted chemical ingredients for making crystal meth.

Guest speakers will include School District 78 Superintendent Wes Neumeier
and Sherry Mumford, the Manager of Addictions Programs for Fraser Health. A
law enforcement representative may also be in attendance to lend their
years of experience in the field.

The presentation will focus on 25 per cent problem and 75 per cent
solution, according to Turner. It will begin at 7 p.m. at Harrison Memorial
Hall.

The counsellor, who works at Agassiz-Harrison Community Services, said he
is also keen to introduce the services of Meth Watch to the communities.
The initiative began in Kansas as a private-public partnership to curtail
the theft and suspicious sales of ingredeints used to manufacture
methamphetemines. It promotes co-operation and teamwork between retailers
and law enforcement professionals.

The program provides training courses and educational packages.