METH GROUP MOVES FORWARD

The Edson and District Drug Action Coalition (EDDAC) is taking a stand
against drugs, specifically methamphetamine.

Through organized meetings and pre-planned activities, the EDDAC hopes to
lower the meth use in Edson and contribute to educating the population on
the drug and its consequences.

"We have a template of goals, objectives and activities to be done," said
Mike Butler, co-chair of the EDDAC.

The coalition has a steering committee of 11 and five smaller
sub-committees. The steering committee will be meeting March 25 to organize
a master timeline after targets are received from each sub-committee. The
timeline will run for an entire year and will be in place to prevent
overlapping of events. The timeline will also ensure events are continuing
throughout the year - not all at the beginning and tapering off towards the
end, Butler said.

"Some activities have gone ahead already. Some are getting done before the
planning is complete," he added.

The five sub-committees have been meeting on a regular basis, either once
or twice a month, to discuss further activities and events. Though these
committees have been organized, people are still welcome to join the
sub-committee of their choice, Butler said. The committees are public
awareness, detox, dialogue, prevention and government support. There could
be funding through municipal grants for assistance. The government support
sub-committee is responsible for securing funding.

"After our March 25 meeting, we'll have a good idea of where we're going,"
Butler said.

The EDDAC was formed after concerns were voiced by the community members
and authorities, but the ball didn't get rolling until public officials
were made aware of the problem.

It was at the July 15 town council meeting when strategies and future
meetings to control the situation were discussed. Councillors, especially
the mayor, met the problem with shock and surprise.

"I had no idea it was such a huge concern," Mayor Gary Mahon said at the time.

For more information about the EDDAC, contact Butler at 723-4401.