COUNTY HAS MORE DRUG OFFENCES, DUI CHARGES, BUT FEWER LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
THAN PROVINCIAL AVERAGE

A quality of life report issued in March by the Perth County social
planning council steering committee found drug-related offences in
Stratford are higher than both provincial and national rates.

As well, data shows area residents are "significantly" less educated
than others in the province and the county has higher drinking rates
than the rest of the province, though smoking rates are average.

Other findings include:

- - All municipalities, except North Perth, have higher rates of
impaired driving charges than the provincial average.

- - North Perth has a higher rate of general traffic offences than the
rest of the county.

- - There are fewer low-income households than the rest of the province
but six to nine per cent of the population uses food banks and other
support services.

- - There are fewer homes on the market in an affordable range. County
household incomes and the number of rental units declined from 1996 to
2001.

The committee is comprised of members from throughout the county,
including those representing local planning bodies, funders,
government, service providers and citizens.

Copies of the report are available at the United Centre at 32 Erie
St., as well as at the library and Stratford-Perth Archives.