AWARENESS IS KEY

Former Cop To Pass On Street Drug Knowledge

Airdrie Echo -- A retired Calgary police officer and street drug
expert says education is the key in helping parents and educators
combat youth drug use.

Steve Walton, who served 25 years on the Calgary Police Service -- the
last 10 of which were on the drug unit -- will bring his considerable
expertise on the matter as the presenter of two street drug awareness
seminars.

Taking place tonight and Oct. 1, the seminars are designed for
parents, educators and counsellors.

"I must say that I am excited about delivering this information to
your community," Walton said. "Of course, I believe that education is
an important component with respect to mitigating the harm of street
drugs and I am pleased to see that others in your community feel the
same way."

The Airdrie Youth Justice Committee, which is sponsoring the seminars,
is hopeful those in attendance will gain valuable knowledge. "We
wanted to take a preventative approach with the Youth Justice
Committee on a topic that doesn't get much attention," said committee
spokesperson Diana Lebedeff. "The purpose of the seminars is to
educate parents and teachers on drug awareness and drug
prevention."

According to Lebedeff, Walton knows of what he speaks.

"For the past 10 years, (Walton) has been assigned to the drug unit
and is considered an expert in the criminal justice systems on street
drugs," she said.

"He has considerable expertise in the street jargon, consumption
practices, the physiology of the drugs, the effects of the drugs,
street pricing and the patterns that develop in the cycle of abuse."

The author of First Response Guide to Street Drugs, a hands-on easy to
read reference guide to street drugs, Walton will be discussing the
impact of current street drugs as well as the future trends expected.

"The two-part lecture series will provide up to date, factual
information concerning the street drug culture and the street drugs
that criminals are making available," Walton explained.

Lebedeff is hopeful that many Airdrie residents will take in the
seminars.

"Drugs are everywhere, though to what extent is unclear," she said.
These seminars are more preventive as opposed to being reactionary
down the road."

The free seminars will take place this evening and Oct. 1 at Bert
Church Theatre. Both start at 7 p.m.