DRUG AWARENESS ESSENTIAL

Powell River 2007 BC Disability Games showcased this community once
again as a city of good neighbours, working together to provide
excellent life experiences for its citizens.

In the same spirit of sharing responsibility for the quality of life
in Powell River, many people have participated over the past year in
the Crystal Methamphetamine (CM) Education and Awareness project,
funded through the Union of BC Municipalities. If Powell River is to
prevent the increasing inroads of serious drug abuse and its
attendant community problems, it will be through the collective
efforts of concerned and caring citizens. As the relaxed days of
summer unfold and then move towards new fall beginnings, it is
important that the momentum of this project not be lost.

As with any other project this community undertakes, a key first step
is to become educated about the issue, to know what the community is
up against. Feedback from those who participated in the CM Project
shows that 94 per cent learned something new from the presentations,
and 95 per cent would like to know more. People found it helpful to learn:

* General information on CM, methods of drug use, and signs of use.

* How quickly addictive CM is, and how much brain damage it causes.

* That other drugs (many of them so-called harmless) may be laced
with meth to increase addictiveness.

* That meth is so destructive to others besides the user.

* That ingredients can be bought in stores, so it is easy to make and
easy to access, making it difficult to pin down drug dealers and manufacturers.

* Information on drug houses, what a meth lab looks and smells like.

There was strong energy among those attending project presentations.
People want to make Powell River a healthy community, and they
recognize the need for a consolidated approach to this issue. In the
same way the community attends to the various aspects of venues,
accommodation, transportation, sound equipment, etc. when organizing
for International Choral Kathaumixw, the community must address the
components that will keep neighbourhoods safe and families healthy. These are:

* Ongoing information and awareness--it cannot be pretended Powell
River is insulated from this problem, or that drug use affects only
the user. Check out Death by Jib from the library, or visit the
www.dappr.ca website.

* Coordination of efforts across the community--including
collaboration among service providers, vigilance among merchants, and
working together as neighbours.

* Healthy alternatives--continue to develop and promote low-cost
healthy activities for youth and for families together.

* Treatment--increase opportunities for immediate access to
detoxification and treatment at the point when people want to make a
change in their lives.

* Enforcement support--drug dealers who exploit the vulnerable can
only be stopped if the RCMP are given sufficient information from the
public and support from the courts to do their job.

The City of Powell River's Community Substance Abuse Committee is
open to everyone and will continue to meet in fall. Powell River must
not let the crystal meth project end as a report gathering dust on a
shelf. Residents need to keep informed, stay vigilant, and continue
to keep the spirit of healthy neighbourliness in Powell River.

Wendy Barker is the administrator of the Powell River Child, Youth
and Family Services Society. The society is partnered with the City
of Powell River and the Tla'Amin (Sliammon) Community Health Services
in administering the crystal meth project.