FOUR PILLARS MOVES FORWARD

The chairman of the Regional District of Central Okanagan announced
this week the appointment of Christene Walsh as its drug policy
coordinator.

The creation of the position was one of the key recommendations of the
Four Pillars Coalition.

Walsh will assist with implementing the recommendations in the 2005
report, Central Okanagan Framework for Action: A Four Pillar Approach
to Problematic Drug Use and Related Issues in the Central Okanagan.

"Christene Walsh brings a solid academic background to the drug policy
coordinator position," said CORD chariman Robert Hobson.

Walsh has a master of social work degree with a specialization in
communities, management and social policy as well bachelor degrees in
social work and sociology/criminology, and a diploma in regulatory
law.

Walsh has previously worked with the ministry for children and family
development, serving Chilcotin and Shuswap First Nations; the chemical
dependency program at Kelowna General Hospital; and the pain/symptom
management team/palliative care program with the B.C. Cancer Agency.

She has also worked as a concurrent disorders consultant focusing on
addiction and mental health with the Interior Health Authority and
most recently, with mental health emergency services.

"Christene is a resident of Kelowna, and has the knowledge, skills,
experience and interest necessary to meet the expectations of this
challenging role," said Hobson.

In 2005 the Four Pillars Coalition Framework for Action recommended 28
areas of action in an attempt to deal with the impact of drugs and
substance abuse in the Central Okanagan.

One of those recommendations was that a regional drug policy
coordinator would be hired to liaise with local agencies providing
enforcement, education, harm reduction, prevention and treatment services.

Walsh is also expected to help develop ideas for new programs, provide
new channels of communication and assist in identifying possible
funding sources.