DRUG TASK FORCE SETS DIRECTION

It Has Been Over A Year Since The Battle River Drug Response Task Force Was
Formed And Their Presence Is Not Fading.

Camrose Canadian - It has been over a year since the Battle River Drug
Response Task Force was formed and their presence is not fading.

Kerry LeBerge, the chairman of the task force spoke to council Jan. 12
about the future direction of the task force, its goals and objectives
in the coming months. One of the achievements the task force has met
is securing $38,000 through a federal Community Mobilization Program
grant.

The grant was secured by task force members who worked with the
Camrose Boys and Girls Club to complete the application.

As a result, Ken Flater, has been assigned to work as the city's
community mobilization program coordinator. His goal is to assist with
the prevention of crime by assisting schools, parents and communities
struggling with substance abuse.

Prevention

"The drug task force up until now has been focused on treatment, now
they're looking at more proactive approaches and strategies,"
explained Flater. Still in its preliminary stages it is aimed at
long-term preventative strategies such as youth mentoring.

"The Search Institute has developed a framework of 40 developmental
assets that are characteristics that youth can possess. The more
assets these young people have the less likely they are to be involved
in risky behaviour."

During the 10 month contract Flater will be working with a number of
organizations in the community that maybe interested in this type of
approach. "It's still very preliminary. The planning details depend on
a lot of different individuals."

A drug response handbook has been developed and is intended for
frontline workers to assist in the screening, assessment, referral and
treatment of individuals struggling with substance abuse. The launch
of the handbook is slated for Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. at the community
centre. Minister of Children's Services, Iris Evans will be in attendance.

The task force also hopes to continue to host public forums in rural
communities and to actively start to identify the root cause of
substance abuse. As well it continues to lobby the provincial and
federal governments to protect communities by enacting appropriate
legislation.