Pubdate: Mon, 01 Mar 2004
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 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 GROUP MOVES FORWARD

The Edson and District Drug Action Coalition (EDDAC) is taking a stand 
against drugs, specifically methamphetamine.

Through organized meetings and pre-planned activities, the EDDAC hopes to 
lower the meth use in Edson and contribute to educating the population on 
the drug and its consequences.

"We have a template of goals, objectives and activities to be done," said 
Mike Butler, co-chair of the EDDAC.

The coalition has a steering committee of 11 and five smaller 
sub-committees. The steering committee will be meeting March 25 to organize 
a master timeline after targets are received from each sub-committee. The 
timeline will run for an entire year and will be in place to prevent 
overlapping of events. The timeline will also ensure events are continuing 
throughout the year - not all at the beginning and tapering off towards the 
end, Butler said.

"Some activities have gone ahead already. Some are getting done before the 
planning is complete," he added.

The five sub-committees have been meeting on a regular basis, either once 
or twice a month, to discuss further activities and events. Though these 
committees have been organized, people are still welcome to join the 
sub-committee of their choice, Butler said. The committees are public 
awareness, detox, dialogue, prevention and government support. There could 
be funding through municipal grants for assistance. The government support 
sub-committee is responsible for securing funding.

"After our March 25 meeting, we'll have a good idea of where we're going," 
Butler said.

The EDDAC was formed after concerns were voiced by the community members 
and authorities, but the ball didn't get rolling until public officials 
were made aware of the problem.

It was at the July 15 town council meeting when strategies and future 
meetings to control the situation were discussed. Councillors, especially 
the mayor, met the problem with shock and surprise.

"I had no idea it was such a huge concern," Mayor Gary Mahon said at the time.

For more information about the EDDAC, contact Butler at 723-4401.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom