DRUG COALITION SETS COMMITTEES

The Edson and District Drug Coalition formed its sub-committees,
during an organizational meeting last Wednesday.

Mike Butler, steering committee member and director of community
services for the Town of Edson, said members of the coalition were
named to the sub-committee(s), which they felt would best suit them.
Members hail from the town, county, RCMP, AADAC, children's services,
education, justice, health, the ministerial association and a person
who has been directly effected by drug use.

Sub-committee chairs were then named and meetings were set. Each
sub-committee has to come up with a rough plan of what it hopes to
accomplish, by Feb. 10. The steering committee will then discuss these
options during its Feb. 13 meeting and then decide what its next
course of action will be, Butler said.

"We're going to coordinate our plans and pace ourselves properly, so
we're always working on something," he said.

"We want it to be an on-going thing that will reduce drug use in
town."

Butler said those at the meeting are ready to reduce drug usage in
town.

"They're very energetic and eager to get this going. They know it's
been a long time coming - they've been waiting a long time to get this
going too."

Butler said the coalition, which has a goal of creating strategies
that will result in significant changes in the crystal meth problem in
the Edson area, is also looking for community members at large to sit
on some of its committees, which are public awareness, prevention,
dialogue, strategic planning and government support.

Committee duties

Public awareness - To enhance public awareness of treatment needs and
prevention strategies to mobilize a community response regarding meth
use by: . educating the community on speed; parent workshops/info series;
and public information sessions;

Prevention - Prevention with a youth/family focus, through awareness,
access, opportunity and support by: educating parents; early intervention;
community involvement in youth education; peer support networks; and
youth/peer involvement.

Dialogue - Open dialogue between users and community organizations to
develop trust by: identify challenges of users and how the community can
support those trying to quit; having a visible presence in the community;
and, getting more information from users.

Strategic planning - Strategic planning for development and funding of
local/district treatment programs by: rehabbing locally; supporting drug
users; lobby Aspen health region for education, partnerships and rehacentre;
and developing programs for those older than 18.

Government support - Solicit government support for local initiatives: town
council leadership; advocating drug awareness and possible resources with
provincial government; increasing enforcement; quit slapping wrists; stop
the revolving door - courts, hospitals, mental health.

For more information on the drug coalition or to express interest in
joining a committee, contact Butler at 723-4401.