LEARN TO KEEP KIDS DRUG FREE

Keeping your children drug free is a challenge and the Drug Response Task
Force is here to help.

A public forum is slated for Jan. 30 at the Camrose Composite High School
commons area at 7 p.m.

This is the second forum the group has presented in its battle against
street drugs, mainly crystal meth.

The evening presentation will include representatives from various social
agencies who will lend their expertise to the topic.

"The intent of the forum is to provide parents with the tools they need to
reduce the chance that their child(ren) will get involved with illegal
street drugs," said DRTF chairman Kerry Laberge.

The forum falls hot on the heels of an in-depth presentation given to city
council Jan. 13. During the presentation the task force said they were
committed to maintain their focus on keeping Camrose a safe place to live.

"I encourage parents with children of any age to attend; it's never too
early or too late to start talking to your kids about the dangerous effects
illegal narcotics can have on their lives."

The Camrose Police Service and AADAC have both reported encouraging results
on the crystal meth front. Laberge, however, warned that the successes
achieved in enforcement and community awareness can lead to a false sense
of security.

"It's critical that we remain focused on our mandate and not assume that
just because we've had an impact on the crystal meth market our work is done.

"Today it's crystal meth, but tomorrow, next week or next month we could
see a new illegal street drug flood the market. "We have to view our
mandate like an addiction and resist the urge to let our guard down."

Over 200 parents and students attended the first forum held, Nov. 27.