PARENTS IN PREVENTION: HELPING TO STOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The College of the Rockies, in partnership with the Cranbrook RCMP,
South East District Drug Awareness, East Kootenay Addiction Service
Society, and St. Mary's Indian Band, have collaborated to create a
program called Parents In Prevention.

This collaborative project is aimed at providing a sustainable
approach to the reduction of youth crime in Cranbrook, Kimberley and
St. Mary's Indian Band. Addiction Service Society community prevention
worker Paul Komer said parents often call him with concerns about
their child's alcohol and drug use.

"The common theme is that parents feel powerless to react to the real
issues and can only look at the situation from a disciplinary viewpoint.

"We want to provide tools for parents to effectively communicate with
their child as they grow up in the kind of culture that tempts them at
every turn."

The project will provide workshops focusing on effective prevention
strategies, family practices, and models for parents and guardians to
help children who are, or are at risk for, abusing alcohol and drugs.

Constable Darrell McNeil, Community Policing Officer, said the East
Kootenay has some challenges to face.

"The drug problem in our region will not go away overnight. It will
take a continuous effort on behalf of parents, teachers and residents
to affect change in the way our children perceive drug issues. It is
when we bury our heads in the sand and fail to pay attention to the
tell-tale signs of drug abuse, that problems persist."

McNeil said he believes ongoing education and open dialogue about the
dangers associated with drug use is a key component to change.

"The goal for this project is to foster a safer and healthier
community by providing alcohol and drug prevention skills for
parents," said project coordinator Keri Rinehart.

"With the support of parents, guardians, and concerned community
members, we can make a difference in the lives of our youth."