SCHOOL DIVISION PARTNERS WITH DRUG RESPONSE TASK FORCE

An increase in dangerous illegal narcotics and accessibility to them by
youth has prompted the City of Camrose's Social Planning committee to
strike a Drug Response Task Force.

Battle River Regional Division #31 will partner in the initiative and has
struck its own internal working and advisory committees to deal with the
growing community drug problem that has filtered into some division
schools. At the request of the Social Planning committee, the division will
partner with a wide variety of community agencies, including the Camrose
Police Service (CPS), on the task force.

The division has seconded PACE Outreach School principal Kerry LaBerge to
assist with its efforts.

"This isn't just a Camrose community problem, it's a Battle River community
problem," said LaBerge, noting other task force partners may include AADAC,
Camrose and District Support Services, Mental Health and St. Mary's
Hospital, to name a few. The division is in the process of establishing
terms of reference and personnel for both of its committees, which will
work collaboratively with the task force.

"It takes an incredible resource base to address the issue and, like any
crime prevention issue, we go to the community for assistance," said CPS
crime prevention officer Const. Kevin Keech. "Battle River Regional
Division, through its willingness to partner with the Drug Response Task
Force, is showing a commitment to addressing a larger community drug problem."

Acting Superintendent of Schools Dr. Warren Phillips said the Division will
dedicate a strong resource network to the task force. "Our top priority is
providing our students with a safe and caring learning environment, but we
also recognize that we have a commitment to our Battle River communities.
The Division's committees will work toward ensuring that we are doing all
that we can at the school and community levels to address this troubling issue."