'BIG CITY' PROBLEMS NOT RESERVED FOR BIG CITIES

There is a popular misconception that small communities are somehow immune
to big city problems - problems like drugs, prostitution, and organized crime.

That misconception has been debunked numerous times, but often to no avail.
People prefer to believe that the idea that their town - be it Ladysmith,
Chemainus or Kalamazoo - and their neighbours would never allow such things
to carry on.

It is true that crime in Ladysmith has been on a steady decline, according
to a study by local criminologist John Anderson completed a year or two ago.

It is also true, however, that crime still exists within our community, and
some of it would surprise those residents who continue to hold to the idea
that 'big city' problems only take place in big cities.

Comments from local mom Tanya Henn back that up, as does information
provided to local teachers and parents by RCMP Const. Scott Rintoul, at two
special presentations at Ladysmith Secondary last week.

Henn has had first-hand experience with the drug culture, through her
daughter, and spoke out to the Chronicle recently in the hope of alerting
other parents, and the community in general.

"Parents need to be aware that it's not just in Vancouver and Victoria that
this is happening," Henn said. "It's here, in our town. And everyone would
be surprised to find out just what types of kids are involved."

Rintoul, meanwhile, an expert on the synthetic chemicals that have become
the prevalent drug-of-choice, echoed some of Henn's sentiments, noting that
parents who are aware and knowledgeable are the best deterrent and
prevention program for children.

Consider this a wake up call to every parent who would rather turn a blind
eye and assume their children are 'clean' - don't make that assumption.
Talk to your children. Understand what they're doing in their spare time,
with their friends. Get to know their friends.

Perhaps most importantly, don't adopt the adolescent behaviour model that
it can't happen here, to you, in our small community.

It can happen here. It already has.