DEALING WITH DRUG PLAGUE

More than 100 concerned Hatters gathered on Wednesday to discuss
substance abuse and the impact it has on our community. The Medicine
Hat Community Drug Council organized the one day conference.

Mayor Garth Vallely was on hand to begin the day. He said anyone who
feels there isn't a drug problem in the Hat has his head stuck in the sand.

"This problem plagues Medicine Hat. It plagues Alberta," said
Vallely. "We need to help these people become productive members of
society. It's so sad. We need to fight this scourge. We need to break
the cycle."

Recovering drug addict Bonnie attended the conference to share her
success story. She is now a sponsor for many young teenage girls
entering the twelve step fellowship program. Although seeing youths
already seeking help may seem like a negative, to Bonnie, it's a huge step.

"It's beautiful that they're already hoping to turn their lives
around instead of waiting until they're 30 or 40," she said.
"Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. I got the chance to
live through it and now I want to help as many people as possible."

Bonnie said family members were unaware she was hiding a drug problem
for approximately six years. With the audience's main concern being
children and youth, one concerned parent asked for signs that an
individual is hiding an addiction.

"They become very withdrawn from family and friends. They might start
hanging out with different people and be going out late at night,"
said Dion, a fellow recovering addict.

Educating children about the dangers of substance abuse from an early
age and educating parents about warning signs in a child's behaviour
were considered top priority at the day's event.

Palliser Health Board chair and member of the Premier's Task Force on
Crystal Meth, Carol Secondiak spoke on the rising prevalence of meth
in Alberta. The deadly drug reaches the brain in as little as three seconds.

"It is the most addictive and one of the scariest drugs out there,"
said Secondiak.

The committee has compiled a list of 83 recommendations and submitted
it to the government. On the list is detox and treatment beds for the
Palliser Health Region and an end to conditional sentencing for drug
traffickers.

"Drug trafficking is a serious, violent crime," said Secondiak. "It
should be treated as such in the courts."

The drug council's Diane Purdy said the committee has been together
for just less than two years. Together, they work at reducing the
harmful effects of drug and substance abuse in the community.

The council works with a "three-pronged approach" by engaging and
educating the community, developing effective resources and
supporting enforcement efforts.