DRUG AWARENESS COMMITTEE SET TO LOBBY GOV'T

Local Group Wants To 'Broaden Horizons' Beyond Public Drug Awareness Education

Fort Saskatchewan Record -- A committee that is determined to raise
awareness of community drug issues is setting their sights on lobbying the
government to make more treatment options available for crystal
methamphetamine addicts.

"Certainly we need to look at treatment," says Gail Steeves, community
development coordinator with the city, and a member of the Fort
Saskatchewan Drug Awareness Steering Committee.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director, and Chairperson of the committee
Wendy Serink says the group is aiming to compile an inventory of services
and resources to assist people who work, live with, or are in contact with
drug addicts.

"We need to find out what's available out there for the community to
utilize," says Serink.

Steeves says finding what treatment options are available is an important
component of developing that inventory.

"I think the problem with treatment is that there isn't a lot out there,
and it's not mandatory," says Steeves.

"It's voluntarily," explains Serink. "So, if you go into some of the
traditional AADAC treatment programs, you have to go willingly and
voluntarily. Where as what I think we're finding with people using crystal
meth, although they want to become non-users, they just don't have the
ability to seek help."

"(An addict's) need to use the drug is more powerful than their need to get
clean," adds Steeves.

Serink says a parent can't admit their teen into a treatment facility
unless that teen wants to be there.

The committee, consisting of youth organizations, parents, community
groups, police, school, and council representatives meets monthly at the
Boys and Girls Club.

The club initiated the inception of the proactive committee following the
distribution of their survey on drug use that was distributed to schools.

The survey indicated usage, particularly of crystal meth, was on the rise.

Their mandate is "to create public awareness, provide information and
address current and emerging drug related issues specific to prevention,
education, training and treatment."

The committee capped off their first year at the end of June, and took a
two-month break from meeting because of conflicting schedules with members.

Since January of 2004, they've raised awareness about the meth issue in the
community, which is also of prevalence in the province.

They've done so by holding public forums that featured individuals with
first-hand knowledge on the drug.

The committee, along with their newly developed mandate has set goals and
strategies for achieving their objections.

Mandatory treatment is one of the things the committee wants to lobby for.

Steeves says the Family and Community Support Services Board has sent
letters to the Solicitor General that identify issues, which many other
communities are also facing.

"I think we're doing really well in the education and awareness venue, but
we need to broaden our horizons a bit," said Steeves.