ANTI-DRUG MEETING YIELDS IDEAS ON HOW TO HELP YOUTH

If the meeting held at the Bracebridge Rotary Centre for Youth last
Wednesday was any indication, area parents, politicians, youth counsellors
and business leaders are serious about doing some hard work on behalf of
young people who take drugs.

Bracebridge parent Mary Robertson, who is trying to curb what she sees as a
rise in drug use by local youth, organized the meeting.

"Our main goal is to raise children to be really responsible and productive
adults," she told the audience of about 85 people. "We're seeing kids that
are not heading toward that goal."

Following a brainstorming session and presentations, ideas that could help
deter children from using drugs began to emerge. It seemed that all
participants agreed youth should be an integral part of their own
problem-solving.

"We need to stop talking and listen," urged Colleen Swider, a community
coordinator for Gagnon's Your Independent Grocer. "There's a lot of experts
out there called teenagers and you would be astounded at what comes out of
their mouths."

One of the strongly supported ideas that emerged was the creation of a
Bracebridge youth drop-in centre.

Before the end of the meeting, several members of the group that was tasked
with developing this idea had already planned to meet again.

Several things need to take place before such a centre becomes a reality,
they agreed.

Funding and a centrally located building must both be available.

Bracebridge OPP Constable Ted Smith suggested that the Bracebridge
Centennial Centre might serve as a good location.

That building is soon to be decommissioned as a Town recreation centre. The
municipality has sought suggestions for the building's future.

Bracebridge naturopath Howard Owens elicited cheers when he suggested that
the skateboard park located beside the centre be expanded and its hours
extended.

Meeting participant Maria Duncalf-Barber, a Muskoka Sexual Assault Services
worker who regularly meets with area high school students, believes some
youths are mistreated psychologically in Bracebridge.

Students have told her that some adults cross the street when they see them
coming, she said.

Another example is that youth regularly complain about the practice some
area businesses have of asking youths to leave their bags at the door
before entering stores.

"It creates a stigma against you," said Duncalf-Barber. "[Implying] you are
going to steal and you're a potential robber."

Many of the participants will continue to meet to try to develop the
strategies that were addressed at the meeting.