Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jun 2004
Source: Gulf Islands Driftwood (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Gulf Islands Driftwood
Contact:  http://www.gulfislands.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/862
Author:  Jennifer McFee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ISLANDERS COMBAT DRUG DEALING TO YOUTH

About 30 concerned community members met for a vigil outside the
Ganges courthouse Tuesday morning to take a stand against drug dealers
on the island.

Dressed in white T-shirts with pins stating, "This is a drug-free
zone," the group banded together in the government building parking
lot as silent witnesses to Jim Hawkins' first appearance before the
court for drug trafficking charges.

Robert Osborne of the Crime Prevention Association said that in recent
weeks at least seven drug dealers have been caught on the island and
will be up on the judiciary block this month.

"We're creating a climate of discomfort for the drug dealers to do
business in. That's what we can do to help," said Osborne.

He said one of the goals of the group is "to make overt what is
covert" by focussing on the problems of hard drug abuse and sexual
exploitation of youth.

"A lot of well-known adults on this island are dealers. They're
high-profile people," he said.

Osborne said community members must overcome their fear of reprisal
and help kids deal with these issues.

"The biggest thing these kids are wanting is the adults. We're
frightened of these kids' problems as a society. We have to shift the
culture to support these children and we have to shift the culture to
say no to the drug dealers."

Darin Craig stepped forward and told the group that he is a recovered
addict who has been involved in the drug scene on the island.

"I've seen what it does to young people, how it destroys their lives,
how it destroys the community.

"We can't just sit idle. Stick to your guns because it's not going to
be a quick fix. We've got to let them know we're out there. We've got
to let them know we give a damn. Let cops know what's going on. It's
not a waste of time."

One mother shared the story of her 13-year-old daughter's recent
struggle with drugs.

"She was doing coke, ecstasy, mushrooms, smoking pot and drinking. She
and her friend were doing B and Es to buy the drugs. She's up on about
10 or 12 charges right now."

She said these problems with hard drugs came as a huge surprise.

"I have had such an education in such a short time. Before I had no
awareness that this was going on until I had to drag my daughter out
of these places."

The Salt Spring mother said she has to keep reminding herself that
these problems are not because of how she raised her children.

"It's a sign of the times. That's the sad part. Sometimes it's hard
not to take it personally. There are so many other moms going through
this with teenage daughters. It's comforting to me to know they're out
there. If in any way shape or form our story helps, I want to put it
out there."

Joyce Campbell, a member of the Crime Prevention Association who
helped organize the vigil, encouraged community members to attend a
public meeting on June 17 at 5 p.m. The meeting is currently booked at
the Capital Regional District meeting room, but may be moved to the
high school multipurpose room to accommodate more people.

"We will probably form committees to address the different problems
and responses. We'll decide on our course of action at that meeting.
We want to use a combined force to be more effective than we could be
on our own."

The group will also discuss mentorship initiatives that will involve
youth in creative arts programs and outdoor activities.

"Young people want to feel good," said Campbell. "We have to offer
alternatives to feeling good that don't involve sex, drugs and alcohol."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin