CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER FOR 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 the hard work of many, TCAD has been able to make a positive
impact on this community.

In Calgary, an award at the Alberta Solicitor General and Public
Security Crime Prevention Awards ceremony was just the icing on the
cake.

TCAD has been able to use its connections to get its message across to
the youth of this community, 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.

The use and trafficking of drugs is a societal issue many have
observed but few are willing to do anything about.

The people involved with TCAD, however, have 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 over the years. Just a quick
look at the police department's statistics on drugs will prove that.

In 2004, drug offences were at a high, as 128 total cases were dealt
with by the police. Fifteen of those were cocaine possession and 27
were for cocaine trafficking - serious offences.

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 in total were reported, a five-year low. It
is encouraging to see drug offences are dropping, not increasing as
they are in so many other communities. However, to keep those numbers
on a downward trend, Taber needs to continue to work at it.

TCAD, like many other organizations, is seeking more members. In the
beginning, TCAD was a popular organization, as many people jumped on
board to help.

Recently, those numbers have dwindled. If Taber wishes to have a
strong voice in the fight against illegal drugs, more people need to
step up and give their time.

Drugs can have the potential to have a negative impact on 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 and mentors for youth in general.

Whatever way you decide to help, it is certainly appreciated and makes
a big difference.

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