MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The courage of a Barriere parent who came forward last week and told her
story to our readers has set this community buzzing with enough
determination to make significant changes to the drug addiction problems in
this town.

The first parent through the door of my office has turned into a steady
stream. The personal stories of each families living nightmares, their
defeats, and their victories, have left me heart sick and privileged.
Privileged because I have been given the most personal glimpses of the pain
that these families have gone through and are still experiencing. Their
stories are sobering. The chaos of drug addiction can strike anywhere, at
anytime. No one is immune. No one can imagine the horror of addiction or
the momentous effort that it will take to stop the abuse of drugs or alcohol.

One parent said she wished her daughter had gone to jail. Then she would
know where she was and that she was safe.

Another recounted the story of how a drug dealer had made her child clean
up her own blood from the floor after the dealer had viciously beaten her
for stealing from him. She almost died from that beating, unfortunately she
is still an addict.

I cried for the parent who's child took their own life as a result of
depression from addiction.

These stories are incredibly sad and shocking. They are meant to be.

Through the bravery and gumption of the parents who have spoken out
awareness of the drug abuse problem in this town has come to the forefront.

A few parents discussing the drug problem after reading last weeks paper
grew to a large unscheduled meeting last Wednesday night that resulted in
the forming of an association that will make Barriere a better place to
live. Barriere Against Drugs (B.A.D.) became a reality when a group of over
30 concerned parents, residents, and RCMP officers agreed it was time to
take action.

This is not a vigilante mob or a witch hunt. This is where community
support starts, with a group of committed individuals who want to make a
difference. And they will.

It won't happen overnight, and everything won't be perfect by next week.
However, given time the drug problems in this town will change for the
better, and over time we will see that one brave mom will have contributed
to saving many of our children.

We would like to thank her for the gift she has given us.