DRUG COALITION OUTLINES PLAN TO AGENCY

The Edson and District Drug Action Coalition (EDDAC) sub-committees are
ready to begin their daunting task of eradicating the town's drug problem.

Members of the sub-committees updated the Edson Interagency Council on where
they're at, at the council's monthly meeting, last Monday.

Drug prevention

Elfie Montanus spoke on behalf of the drug prevention sub-committee. She
said members decided to focus primarily on youth right now. "We thought that
would be the best approach right now," Montanus said.

The sub-committee will be drafting a survey for students in Grades 5, 8, 9
and 11, to determine their knowledge on drugs and whether they've been
exposed to them, Montanus said.

The data compiled will help the committee decide what sort of presentations
and speakers need to be brought in to educate the town's youngsters.

The drug prevention sub-committee is also going to offer parents a two-day
workshop called 'How to Drug Proof your Kids'. It will be held in
late-September or early-October, Montanus said.

A mentoring/peer support program in Edson schools is also going to be
started within the next year, she added.

Public awareness

Connie Winter told the council the sub-committee's focus is on the entire
community, not just youth.

They will be kicking off their campaign at the Edson and District Chamber of
Commerce's annual Trade Show, May 7 and 8. The committee will be handing out
flyers and offering information at their booth.

She said local businesses have been instrumental in donating materials to
the committee, so they can better inform the public.

Dialogue

Edith Zuidhof-Knoop said the dialogue sub-committee is speaking to those
affected by drugs, specifically methamphetamine (aka crystal meth or speed),
to find out what works.

"We need to indentify what's working with the community services that exist
and what can be done better," Zuidhof-Knoop said.

"We have to be able to have discussions with users, those in recovery and
families effected by use. The feedback we get will then be forwarded on to
the other sub-committees," she added.

She said many recovering users she has talked to, believe many more meth
addicts would seek help if they knew there were so many people who cared.

"We need to communicate the fact that there are many people in the community
who are concerned and will work with people to help them."

Treatment

Diane Pyne spoke on behalf of the treatment sub-committee.

She said it is closely tied with the dialogue committee, which often turns
into a support group of sorts, where people can speak of their experiences
and troubles.

Pyne said there are three areas that need to be addressed through focus
sessions: the circumstances in a person's life when they started using meth;
what the blocks and barriers were to those receiving help; and what do they
need now in their lives to stay drug-free.

Detox and rehab

Zuidhof-Knoop said the detox and rehab sub-committee is developing a support
group, which will hopefully be able to sustain itself after awhile.

She said people often go back to using meth if support falters after the
initial recovery process.

"We need to establish a longer recovery time. We're hoping support from the
committee can provide consistency or stability for those in the early stages
of recovery," Zuidhof-Knoop said.

Government support

Mike Butler said the government support sub-committee is responsible for
securing the political influence that is needed to get the resources
required to deal with an issue as large as this.

He said the committee will be meeting with West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang
in June. "We'll see what the province is doing, what kinds of avenues are
best to work with them and is there any way (Strang and the province) can
help us get to where we need to be," Butler said.

Zuidhof-Knoop said it is encouraging to see how many community members are
interested in being a part of these sub-committees and how quickly
businesses have been to lend financial support.