CONGRATULATIONS TCAD

Friday, the Taber Community Against Drugs organization was presented
with a prestigious provincial award.

Simply put, it was well deserved. Since its inception in 2004, the
organization has accomplished a lot. Through hard work of many, TCAD
has had a positive impact. In Calgary, an award at the Alberta
Solicitor General and Public Security Crime Prevention Awards ceremony
was just the icing on the cake.

TCAD used its connections to get its message across to the youth and
Taberites in general, in its battle against drugs. It is indeed an
important battle to wage, as many lives have been wasted due to drug
abuse.

Use and trafficking of drugs is a societal issue many have observed
but few are willing to do anything about. Those part of TCAD opted to
do something about it. Presentations have been made to schools,
community members in general and a successful drug conference, Hooked
on Hope, was even held back in 2005.

All in all, TCAD has had many successes. Just a quick look at the
police department?s statistics on drugs prove that. In 2004, 128 drug
offences were dealt with by police. Fifteen of those were cocaine
possession and 27 were for cocaine trafficking.

In 2005, those numbers dropped to seven cocaine possession offences
and 15 for trafficking. The numbers dipped to three offences for
cocaine possession and four for trafficking in 2006. The numbers do
not lie, and TCAD played a role in that reduction, as did the police
and the community in general.In 2006, 50 drug offences were reported,
a five-year low. It is encouraging to see drug offences are not
increasing as they are in other communities. To keep those numbers
dropping work needs to continue.

TCAD, like other organizations, is seeking more members. Drugs can
negatively impact anyone in this community, and so, everyone has a
responsibility to help. Many do, though not through TCAD, by coaching
youth teams, leading youth groups and being good role models for
youth. Whatever way you help, it is appreciated and makes a big difference.

The community can not overlook impact groups like TCAD can have on a
community, and the people who have been involved with the initiative
should be congratulated.