Pubdate: Mon, 31 Mar 2003
Source: Camrose Canadian (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Camrose Canadian
Contact:  http://www.camrosecanadian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2160
Author: Amanda Kuttnick

NO REST FOR THE DRUG RESPONSE TASK FORCE

The Drug Response Task Force is not stopping.

Formed in October 2002 after the results of the city's Social Needs 
Assessment were released, the task force was established to battle the 
issue of substance abuse among youth in Camrose and region. It is a 
coordinated group of several stakeholders including AADAC, Battle River 
Regional Division and the Camrose Police Service, but it is not an 
extension of the police service.

Kerry Laberge, chairman of the task force, says while the group has made 
strides, it's not giving up.

"I don't think there's been any other occurrence in Camrose and region 
where the agencies have worked collaboratively together to find creative 
and proactive ways to assist our community with this issue.

"We're not sweeping it under the rug. We're acknowledging that we do have a 
problem.

"It's not a school problem, it's a community-wide problem. It takes a 
community to raise a child. We're trying to ensure all the agencies are on 
board to provide a wrap-around service," said Laberge.

Initiatives undertaken by the task force include the use of detective Steve 
Walton, author of Get the Dope on Dope: First Response Guide to Street Drugs.

"We brought him in to professionally develop all school administrators, all 
councils and opened it up to frontline workers at other agencies," said 
Laberge.

"Over 4,500 kids in the Battle River region have been spoken to and 
provided an education regarding crystal meth and other drugs." Copies of 
the book have been left with school principals and in libraries for 
students and parents to access. Schools have also been equipped with drug 
information for school counsellors and personnel.

"Battle River Regional Division has done an outstanding job in assisting 
the task force with its education and awareness campaign," commented Laberge.

Caring cards have also been developed for youth to pass out to their peers.

The cards include phone numbers of agencies who are able to assist young 
people dealing with drug addiction.

The task force is currently in the process of developing a handbook that 
will be used by frontline workers and parents.

"The goal is to create a community support network not only for youth, but 
also for parents. Realistically, if we only work with youth and reintegrate 
them back into the family without working with the parents it's not going 
to be as successful."

The handbook is already receiving provincial attention and a commitment has 
been made by the province to cover the cost of production. The task force 
is also focusing on a peer education project where youth will hear from 
their peers about struggles with drug abuse.

"The resource that is the most underutilized is the voice of the youth. We 
need to sit back and listen to what the youth in our community have to say."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth