VOLUNTEERS FORM DRUG TASK FORCE

Volunteers in the community will form a task force to deal with substance
abuse in Summerland.

Following a substance abuse forum last week, 17 people signed up to help
address the community's problem. Of these, nine signed up to serve on a task
force.

The task force will be made up of youth, parents, seniors and business
leaders. In addition, youth leaders from one church will serve in an
advisory role.

Coun. Rick Cogbill, one of the organizers of the forum, believes a committee
can help reduce substance abuse here. "We have to make it so it's not fun
for the pushers to come here," he says.

If people contact the police when they notice drug dealers in the community,
Cogbill believes the dealers will eventually avoid the community.

He also wants to address drug use and drug trafficking at the school level.
The problem is becoming prevalent at the Summerland Middle School, he says.

The task force will work with police and community leaders to develop
strategies to combat substance abuse. Cogbill hopes Summerlanders will
eventually call the members of the task force when they notice suspicious
activity.

"It's extra eyes and ears for the police on this issue," he says. "We want
to make the town safe."