DRUG USE, ABUSE A COMMUNITY ISSUE

It's not anyone's favourite topic. It's a topic that's not easy to discuss.

However, Connie Driedger, chair of the Garden Valley Collegiate school
advisory council says drug abuse is a topic that must be discussed in Winkler.

"The fact is drug abuse affects everyone," said Driedger. "Kids are
stealing, and much of that money goes to buy drugs. Kids are using drugs,
and it affects every aspect of their lives, now, maybe forever. And, even
if our kids are not using drugs themselves, there's always the influence.
There's always the pressure."

To open what they're hoping will be a community-wide discussion, the
advisory council is hosting a drug awareness evening at the Collegiate on
Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Presentions will come from the Addictions Foundation, the Winkler and
Morden police services, and a parent who has experience dealing with a
child on drugs.

The program will include information on the different kinds of drugs
available to kids, the signs to watch for and the paraphernalia used in
doing drugs, and the resources .

After the initial presentations, opportunity will be given to join
break-out sessions with each of the presenters, in three 20-minute sessions.

"That will give them the opportunity to ask questions and talk on a more
one-on-one basis," said Driedger.

Organizers are hoping to achieve several objectives at this meeting.

"We want to emphasize it's a community problem, not just a problem for
those people dealing directly with drug abuse," said Driedger.

"We want the community to know it's here in our community, it's not just
'out there somewhere' and the discussion must come from within the
community. And we want to show our support for parents whose children are
using drugs."

Driedger says it's vital for the community to stand together to fight the
evil of drug abuse.

"We need to fight this as a community, not just as individuals. And, just
because my kids may not be having a problem with drug abuse doesn't mean I
can't or shouldn't help those parents whose kids are," she said.

It's also important to get the information out to younger students and
their parents.

"They tell us that preventive measures are almost too late in high school,"
said Driedger. "Most kids who get involved with drugs get into them at the
junior high level."

Given the division's 3,000 plus students, the high school gym should be
packed with concerned parents. And that would be an organizers' dream come
true, says Driedger.

"It's everyone's problem," she said. "If even one suffers (from drug
abuse), we all suffer."Driedger says it's vital for the community to stand
together to fight the evil of drug abuse.

"We need to fight this as a community, not just as individuals. And, just
because my kids may not be having a problem with drug abuse doesn't mean I
can't or shouldn't help those parents whose kids are," she said.

It's also important to get the information out to younger students and
their parents.

"They tell us that preventive measures are almost too late in high school,"
said Driedger. "Most kids who get involved with drugs get into them at the
junior high level."

Given the division's 3,000 plus students, the high school gym should be
packed with concerned parents and grandparents. And that would be an
organizers' dream come true, says Driedger.

"It's everyone's problem," she said. "If even one suffers (from drug
abuse), we all suffer."