METH TASK FORCE FORMED

After months of talk, action against Edson's methamphetamine problem is
finally taking shape.

"It's plugging along," said Edson RCMP Corp. Glenn Henry.

Community groups, schools, health councils, churches, law enforcement and
political figures will all be part of a meth coalition to combat the drug
and its effects on Edson citizens. The first meeting is set for Oct. 8 at
the Edson Fire Hall.

"We want the meeting to be very focused with key individuals. We're hoping
for a lot of positive feedback," said Mike Butler, co-organizer of the
coalition and Edson's director of community services.

Invitations were sent out to targetted groups but Henry said it's uncertain
as to how many people will actually attend.

He said different community organizations will have a representative at the
meeting, which will promote a focus that reps can take back to their group.

The meeting organizers will try to establish a steering committee and
create subgroups for further information.

The meeting will help establish the purpose and organization of the
coalition, which will also incorporate ideas from the Drayton Valley,
Camrose and Hinton coalition models. Henry believes people are realizing
there is a meth problem in Edson and he hopes this meeting will create
ideas to help keep Edson citizens healthy and safe.

"There is a big crime problem in Edson and it has a lot to do with the drug
problem," Henry said.

The Alberta government has also realized there is a meth problem throughout
the province and is taking steps to combat it. Strategies to fight
organized crime and stop the spread of meth use and manufacturing, is being
initiated by Alberta's organized crime enforcement team, which was formed
earlier this year. The team is already working with the province's police
services on a prevention plan to cut down meth use.

The focus of the Edson group's first meeting is to establish a strong
committee with the hopes of starting information and action sessions within
Edson.

"Within Alberta they're everywhere -- all over," he said.

This is not a public meeting, though information will be made available to
the media once a committee has been founded.