DRUGS NOT JUST A BIG CITY PROBLEM

Seminar Held to Discuss Street Drug Concerns and Issues

Airdrie's young people aren't immune to the lure of drugs and a recent
street drug awareness seminar helped illuminate for the community issues
and facts surrounding street drug use.

Organized by Airdrie resident Dwayne Clayden, the Sept. 29 seminar was
well-received and the positive response seems to indicate a need for
factual information about the street drug culture.

"It's something just a lot of people are concerned about," said Clayden, a
former police officer and Airdrie emergency medical services (EMS) chief
who currently works with the Calgary EMS department.

During the 90-minute seminar, presenter Det. Steve Walton , a 24-year
veteran with Calgary Police Service (CPS) who has spent the past 10 years
with CPS' drug squad , pulled no punches, offering the reality of street
drugs and their effects and outlining traditional and emerging trends in
today's drug environment.

"Since approximately 1993, drug use has gone up a little bit," Walton said.
"What's really more tangible is that the drugs have changed."

Detailing physical and psychological effects of such drugs as ecstasy,
marijuana, methamphetamine and psilocybin, more commonly known as magic
mushrooms, Walton offered the straight goods to his audience.

"I'm not trying to preach to kids about not doing drugs," he said. "I like
to try to enlighten and share education, because, really, this is all about
choice."

For Walton, such presentations help clarify for young people and parents
the realities of drug use.

"What I have found is a lack of ... credible education in this regard," he
said. "If I can help a young person be better informed, then (he or she)
can make better decisions."

Clayden agreed.

"I think it's better that they know," he said, "and it's better that the
youths know the truth.

"Everybody needs to know this," he added.

That information is invaluable, even in a city the size of Airdrie.

"We certainly have our fair share of drugs," Airdrie RCMP Cpl. Ross Shapka
said. "We have had reports that there are people trafficking marijuana in
Airdrie ... I think there is some use of ecstasy here."

While the drug problem in Airdrie may not be overwhelming, the concern is
apparent nonetheless.

"If you're a parent and your child is using drugs, then there is a serious
problem," Shapka said.

And for Walton, being able to provide education is one way of fighting that
serious problem.

"As a law enforcement officer, my whole career has been dedicated to public
safety," he said. "I can give back what I have been taught; I can give back
what I've seen on the street."