NO METH FOR ME, THANKS

Leduc Representative -- If there was ever a time when I thought about
trying methamphetamine it was quickly erased from my mind on Oct. 8
when I attended a drug awareness night at the Performing Arts Centre.

Sgt. Ian Sanderson, from the RCMP `K' Division in Edmonton, made a
phemenol presentation about drugs, focusing on meth, that had a sense
of realism, bringing real-life situations to show the extent of the
problem plaguing many Alberta communities today.

Meth is easily accessible and if it isn't there is over 150 ways to
make it. It is emerging as the number one drug problem around the world.

After the shock of how easily accessible meth is wore off, there were
many questions of what do we do to protect our community.

Awareness is one of the most important things we can do and the packed
seats in the PAC show that people in Leduc are ready to learn and take
charge of the issue. It looks to me that area municipalities on are
board to help the fight against drugs in our communities as the City
of Leduc helped to bring Sanderson here and Leduc County expressed
their support of the presentation at the regular council meeting Oct.
7.

I learned so much from the presentation and a lot of it was quite
shocking for me -- and the lady sitting next to me who brought her
daughter. There were lots of families that had brought their children
to learn about the dangers of drugs and that's just the beginning of
the steps we have to take against this fight.

I really feel the best thing parents can do is start talking to their
kids now and open the lines of communication. Helping your child
become comfortable with talking about these issues and letting them
know there is someone there to confide in who lets you develop your
own opinions and encourages you to do the right thing is more valuable
than someone who says it's bad and won't discuss why. Don't be afraid
to talk about this and seek out information. For more information
visit www.aadac.com.