TIME FOR THE DISCUSSION ABOUT DRUGS IS NOW, NOT WHEN IT'S TOO LATE

Is it time to sound the alarm bells?

We don't know, but there definitely seems to be a rise in violent crime in
our small South Okanagan communities.

Shootings, stabbings, kidnappings, border drug busts, drug house takedowns.
We seem to be having a run on these types of violent crimes and police
responses.

You could argue that just one of these events seems so much larger because
we live in small communities where these things just don't happen. However,
when it keeps happening it is hard not to take notice. It is even harder
not to wonder why it seems so much more prevalent.

And perhaps that is exactly what we should be doing.

Police have been talking to the community a lot about drugs, specifically
"Crystal Meth." They have sponsored public information sessions for parents
and the community at large, trying to inform us as to the dangers of this
relatively new drug.

Sadly, drugs are at the centre of most violent crime. Crime follows drugs
and as it continues to enter our small communities, we can't help but
wonder what can the average person do about it? If anything.

The police deserve credit for bringing the issue to the people. Their goal,
obviously is to help parents before their kids get hooked on drugs. That is
a key tool in fighting drugs - give parents the tools to help them stop
drug use before it has taken hold.

However, how do we, as the common person, affect change in our communities?
How do we fight back against this type of violent crime?

We don't know the answer, but we must start to address these issues before
violent crime becomes common-place in our communities. We need to begin
those discussions about drugs and violent crime now, before those
discussions become irrelevant because we are simply too late.