CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON METH AWARENESS

An upcoming conference in Hinton will be targeting communities to act
on the methamphetamine problem.

Edson Leader -- Members of the Edson and District Drug Action
Coalition will be attending the conference, which will be held from
Oct. 3 to 5, said co-chair Edith Zuidhof-Knoop.

"A fair number of the drug coalition is going to get information and
to network with other communities," said Zuidhof-Knoop.

Some members of the coalition will be speaking at the conference,
hosted by the Hinton Drug Action Committee.

"The Hinton Drug Action Committee believed it was important to host an
event that would allow people who are trying or have mobilized their
community in addressing substance abuse, an opportunity to share
ideas, partner with other communities and committees, as well as learn
from knowledgeable speakers," said committee co-chair Tammy Allan.

Conference officials expect to have 200 delegates, representing 281
municipalities and provincial government departments that are
mobilizing against the abuse of meth and other illegal substances.

The delegates represent a combination of volunteers as well as
professionals who work or counsel meth addicts.

There will be 18 breakout sessions and two panel discussions
addressing topics such as drug trends, basics on crystal meth, illegal
labs, detox and recovery programs, social marketing and lobbying.

Zuidhof-Knoop encourages Edsonites to attend a public forum at 2 p.m.
on Oct. 3, which will be lead by RCMP Sgt. Ian Sanderson of
K-Division. The forum will be held at the Hinton Centre.

She said Edson is recognized across the province for being a leader in
fighting meth.

The coalition has worked with a group of users in recovery to start a
support group. The group meets every Thursday night and committee
members volunteer to provide child care.

"There are parents of young children who are involved in the group,"
said Zuidhof-Knoop.

Edson delegates will pass along its successes at the Hinton conference
and also will collect as much information from other
communities.

Red Deer conference addressed meth

Zuidhof-Knoop attended the Alberta methamphetamine workshop with
coalition co-chair Mike Butler on Sept. 13 in Red Deer. She explained
the Red Deer conference addressed the problem at a provincial level.

Red Deer delegates were divided into small working groups and answered
a set of questions.

The information arising from the questionnaire was passed along to a
ministerial group.

One of the highlights for Zuidhof-Knoop was a youth drama production
on the impact of meth on families.

"That's the reason why all of this is being done. We want to make our
families stronger," she said.