Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2004, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Beth Blackburn, RCMP Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) DRUG AWARENESS BROUGHT INTO FOCUS On a daily basis phone calls come into my office from parents, educators, social workers, probation officers, grandparents and others wanting to know how they can help people they care about who have found themselves facing issues around drug misuse and abuse. I am RCMP Const. Beth Blackburn, the drug awareness coordinator for Nanaimo. In the next few months I will be writing a weekly column to bring some of these drug awareness issues to a broader audience. This first week I thought I should tell you what exactly the RCMP Drug Awareness Service actually does and its mandate. Our mission: RCMP Drug Awareness Service is committed to making communities safe and healthy by reducing substance abuse and its related problems. Our vision: To be leaders in striving for a country free of substance abuse. Our beliefs: Everyone has the right to live free from substance abuse and its effects. Children are vulnerable and are entitled to our protection. Well-informed people strive for a society free of substance abuse. Substance abuse negatively affects the safety and quality of life in our communities. Substance abuse prevention is crime prevention. A balanced approach to prevention includes education, enforcement and treatment. Substance abuse is a barrier to social and self development. Substance abusers deserve effective treatment We can make a difference through innovative partnerships Our commitment (to our communities): Promoting a balanced approach to prevention, enforcement and treatment. Providing factual information on substance abuse issues. Supporting enforcement initiatives. Encouraging, mobilizing and supporting community driven initiatives that reflect our mission, vision and beliefs. I will discuss the following topics in the coming weeks: alcohol abuse, prescription drug abuse, crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, clandestine labs, marijuana grow operations, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program, drugs in the workplace, drugs in sports, steroids, drug impaired driving, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder just to name a few. My goal is to give valuable information that the community can use to stay safe and healthy by reducing substance abuse. If you issues or topics you would like covered in my column please contact me at 755-3226. Next week: Alcohol use over the Christmas season. RCMP Const. Beth Blackburn is the drug awareness coordinator for Central Vancouver Island. Her column appears every Saturday. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek