Pubdate: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 Source: Edson Leader (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Edson Leader Contact: http://www.bowesnet.com/edson/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780 Author: Amy Anderson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH TASK FORCE FORMED After months of talk, action against Edson's methamphetamine problem is finally taking shape. "It's plugging along," said Edson RCMP Corp. Glenn Henry. Community groups, schools, health councils, churches, law enforcement and political figures will all be part of a meth coalition to combat the drug and its effects on Edson citizens. The first meeting is set for Oct. 8 at the Edson Fire Hall. "We want the meeting to be very focused with key individuals. We're hoping for a lot of positive feedback," said Mike Butler, co-organizer of the coalition and Edson's director of community services. Invitations were sent out to targetted groups but Henry said it's uncertain as to how many people will actually attend. He said different community organizations will have a representative at the meeting, which will promote a focus that reps can take back to their group. The meeting organizers will try to establish a steering committee and create subgroups for further information. The meeting will help establish the purpose and organization of the coalition, which will also incorporate ideas from the Drayton Valley, Camrose and Hinton coalition models. Henry believes people are realizing there is a meth problem in Edson and he hopes this meeting will create ideas to help keep Edson citizens healthy and safe. "There is a big crime problem in Edson and it has a lot to do with the drug problem," Henry said. The Alberta government has also realized there is a meth problem throughout the province and is taking steps to combat it. Strategies to fight organized crime and stop the spread of meth use and manufacturing, is being initiated by Alberta's organized crime enforcement team, which was formed earlier this year. The team is already working with the province's police services on a prevention plan to cut down meth use. The focus of the Edson group's first meeting is to establish a strong committee with the hopes of starting information and action sessions within Edson. "Within Alberta they're everywhere -- all over," he said. This is not a public meeting, though information will be made available to the media once a committee has been founded. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom