Pubdate: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 Source: Richmond News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.richmond-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244 Author: Darah Hansen COUNCIL FUNDS MOVE TO CUT ABUSE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL Stamping out drug and alcohol abuse in the city is the aim of a $52,000 strategy to be implemented locally. And, on Monday, city council agreed to do its part, with politicians agreeing to spend $26,000 to see the initial six-month phase of the strategy go ahead. The remainder of the tab will be picked up through in-kind donations by community stakeholders such as RADAT, the Heart of Richmond AIDS Society, SUCCESS and Turning Point. The first phase of the substance abuse strategy will include an awareness campaign aimed at raising public knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding drugs and alcohol in Richmond. At the end of six months, the strategy task force will be required to submit a report outlining the work to date, the remaining work to be done and a breakdown of the costs. And though the vote to back the strategy passed unanimously Monday, not all councillors were pleased with what they saw as a vague system of measuring the strategy's success. "I don't mind putting money into supporting it, as long as it's not a bottomless pit," said Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt. But just what constitutes success is still under debate. "I'm not sure what we really want to measure _ the number of addicts in the streets or the number of students we can touch?" said Coun. Bill McNulty. Regardless, council agreed, making an effort to fight the problem is long overdue. "There's been a need expressed to counter the substance abuse that is right under our noses," said Coun. Derek Dang. Without money and contributions by city and community staff, "we would be in a lot worse shape." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom