AADAC FOCUSES ON METH USE

National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) encompasses a lot of problem
habits, but in Edson that focus will once again be on methamphetamine use
in the community.

Edson's meth problem is being addressed at an open information
presentation, hosted by AADAC, on Nov. 19 at the Edson and District
Healthcare Centre's education room as part of this week, which runs from
Nov. 16-22. The presentation will deal with what meth is, how it is used
and concerns from the public. Questions will be fielded by AADAC
representative Edith Zuidhof-Knoop.

"It is important for people to get information on what meth is, treatment
options and have their questions answered, but it is only once piece of the
puzzle," she said.

The meeting is being held in conjunction with the recent creation of a
meth/drug task force in Edson. The information session is only one portion
of the task force's goal of increasing public awareness but other goals
include strategic planning, community involvement and soliciting
governments for support of local initiatives.

"It's important that we can say there is a meth problem in Edson but what
does this mean?," Zuidhof-Knoop wondered.

This is just one question she will be trying to answer at the session,
trying to give details into the myths and facts about the drug.

"We have to understand how to work as a community," she added.

Zuidhof-Knoop asks people to pre-register for the meeting.