DRUG WORRIES VOICED

KAWARTHA LAKES - Individuals vying to address growing drug concerns in
the City of Kawartha Lakes were welcomed by an encouraging amount of
support at Tuesday night's first information session for a group which
will attack the issue.

"I'm extremely pleased with the turnout and the cross section of
agencies in the municipality," said Ward 9 Coun. Sal Polito, who has
spearheaded the effort with longtime Lindsay resident and RCMP Cpl.
John Green.

The informal meeting was a chance for those interested in joining the
effort to learn more about the issue and have their voice heard, how
to move it forward and what they can bring to the table.

"I think we came up with a series of ideas that this committee can
work on to deal with the process," Polito said, adding the session
also showed the diversity of the drug problems and how each needs to
be addressed.

It also was a chance for different agencies to offer their commitment
to the volunteer committee and say why they want to be involved.

Polito said it would be interesting to see the ideas which came out of
the session develop and how they can each be addressed. Some of the
ideas included constructing bylaws to assist in policing, public
education and creating services.

Several individuals at the session represented a variety of groups,
including the Trillium Lakeland District School Board, the Haliburton,
Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, and Crime Stoppers. Others
were concerned doctors, businesspeople and concerned parents and citizens.

At the meeting, an overview was given of the group's efforts to date;
Green gave a presentation on the drug problem; a there was a
discussion on how to move forward.

The group hopes to be in the planning process by its next meeting,
tentatively set for Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Victoria Room at City
Hall. At that time, they will form a committee and task forces and
begin to assign responsibilities.