NADIS: STEADY AS A ROCK FOR 20 YEARS

For more than two decades the North Island Alcohol/Drug Information and
Education Society has remained a steady rock of information and support for
people dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.

The society is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with its latest
initiative being the release of an updated catalogue for its extensive
video library.

More than 500 tapes stock the shelves of NADIS' Shoppers Row office. That's
a long way from the society's early beginnings in 1981.

Back then, the two co-founders of the organization, Lloyd Rosell and Ron
Trembley, worked from Rosell's living room and borrowed films and resources
from federal government alcohol and drug programs and the National Film
Board. They would show the films to interested groups and individuals in
effort to educate people on the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.

The two men eventually began showing their films in schools and meeting
with youth to discuss the dangers, risks and pitfalls of experimenting with
alcohol and drugs.

John Ross has been a director with NADIS for about 15 years. He has lead
the group as president for the last four years.

The presence of drugs in today's society is nothing like the days Ross
remembers as a child.

"I find it alarming," he said. "Having been raised in an era where there
were no drugs - that I knew of - it's now a time where drugs are even in
elementary schools. It's alarming."

That's where the importance of information distribution comes into play. "I
think people feel comfortable about talking about the problems involved
with alcohol and drug abuse," Ross said. "Hopefully our organization has
had an impact on the problem."

There's always that wonder of whether their efforts are actually making a
difference of if they are just toiling along, Ross added. But if even a few
lives are touched by NADIS' work, the society's job is done.

"If you can help one or two people and help straighten out, it saves the
community thousands and thousands of dollars if that person can become a
productive citizen," Ross said.

The society received a "pat on the back" last week as the Knights of
Columbus took the opportunity of NADIS' open house on Nov. 22 to present a
cheque for $600.

Over the years, the community support for NADIS has always been there. The
Campbell River Rotary Club donated a colour television and video recorder,
a local car dealer assisted the society in obtaining a van and the Lions,
Elks, Kiwanis and other community groups and businesses all contributed
with financial donations.

This has helped the society develop its library of up-to-date video
materials and resources. The society's variety of professional films cover
a range of topics related to and the results of substance abuse.

Since the beginning, NADIS has promoted the concept that awareness is key
to the prevention of substance abuse. Historically, the problems of
alcoholism and addiction have been dealt with after the fact.

Intervention, however, can take place long before a person ever takes a
drink or uses a drug.

And if all goes well, NADIS should have no problem entrenching its
reputation as a resource agency for another 20 years.