Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Taber Times Contact: http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262 Author: Jennifer Elves CHAMBER HOSTING DRUG MEETING The Taber Community Against Drugs group is welcoming more people to get involved in reducing Taber's drug problem with a lunch and learn session this Tuesday at the Heritage Inn. The event will go from noon until 1:30 and is targeting the business community, service clubs, churches and sporting organizations. Individuals, called dream keepers, heading various committees as part of Taber Community Against Drugs (TCAD) want to inform people how some northern communities experienced drastic effects because of drug use. The meeting is also intended to increase awareness of local problems linked to drug use and trafficking. "I think we are just going to keep plugging at it," said Arlene Prummel, who along with Carol Day is leading the membership committee of TCAD. "I think summer will be tough, but we will still be working on it pretty steadily. If the group of dream keepers keep doing what they are doing now they are going to be very alive in this community." Tuesday's session will include information such as how crime has increased in Taber as a result of drugs, signs someone is using or trafficking drugs and the recipe for methamphetamine for business owners and parents. People in the M.D. of Taber are invited to the lunch and learn segment. "We really want to hit the M.D. It's not just a problem in Taber it's in some M.D. areas as well," said Prummel. "Who knows down the road there could be (meth) labs out in the country." At last Saturday's session, a former local drug addict spoke to the group of about 35 people who attended. He suggested implementing an AADAC office in Taber and having more addiction counsellors in town. "I know that is a dollars and cents thing, but that's why it was good to see (Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA) Broyce Jacobs there. He needs to take that to Edmonton when he goes," said Duncan, the speaker who requested his last name be protected. Those who attended the forum joined committees including ones for funding, membership, enforcement, marketing and education and prevention, which got the biggest turnout. The education and prevention group discussed the possibility of having drug education start at Grade 3 in Taber schools instead of in Grade 5. Members suggested that because people in the group who see situations involving drugs because of their job know cases where young children see drugs at home and in other communities have done drugs at as young as 10. Anyone interested in attending the lunch and learn is asked to call the Taber and District Chamber of Commerce at 223-2265 by this Friday. The fee for the lunch is $10. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D