Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Author: Ed Moore, Leader staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

DRUG COALITION HIRES NEW COORDINATOR

She's seen the hurt caused by drug use, first-hand. Now she's in a position 
to prevent it.

Sherry Froelich, the newly-hired coordinator for the Edson and District 
Drug Coalition was a nurse at the Edson Health Unit. She's also worked for 
Alberta Children's Services in Edmonton's inner city and on reservations, 
so she's seen how drug and alcohol use can affect both parents and youngsters.

"I've seen users as young as in Grade 6," said Froelich, whose first day of 
work for the coalition was on Sept. 6.

Awareness helps

Methamphetamine use is still a big problem in the area, but Froelich feels 
awareness about the drug and what it can do to individuals and families is 
helping.

She said drug use and the effects and the importance of not doing drugs is 
being taught as early as Grade 4.

Froelich will work closely with Alberta

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission Edson office manager Edith Zuidhof-Knoop 
and Edson RCMP Cpl. Glenn Henry, members of the coalition and front line 
personnel in the fight against meth and other drugs. She is impressed with 
their expertise and the overall knowledge of coalition members.

The same goes when it comes to what the coalition has accomplished in such 
a short time, along with the growing status of the organization.

"I think the coalition is a leader among the provinces. We're the first one 
to have a coordinator."

Events planned for October

Several upcoming initiatives should raise the coalition's profile even 
more. The How to Drug Proof Your Kids Course starting Oct. 6, along with A 
Time for Hope and Healing Conference on Oct. 15, both sponsored by the 
coalition and Edson Family and Community Support Services, will help to 
show families how to cope with drug use and its aftermath.

The Oct. 15 event features Steve Harmer, a former principal Calgary and 
Patricia Morgan, who has a personal story to tell. Her daughter is a 
recovering cocaine addict.

The mid-October event will be held in the Red Brick Art Centre's Jean 
Hatlen Theatre, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Child care will be available.

The How to Drug Proof Your Kids series runs every Thursday evening from 
Oct. 6 to Nov. 10, 7 to 9 p.m. each night.

Froelich is also excited about the drug coalition's strategic plan, which 
develops plans for the organization for the next five years. But that's not 
all.

"We're also working on the restorative justice program. We're trying to 
form one."

The program will bring together offenders and victims, with the idea being 
that each is assisted through a system which compensates the victim and 
helps the offender / user on the road to recovery.

Froelich said she feels great working for an organization that can truly 
make a difference.

"I feel really fortunate to be with something that's working."

For more information, call Froelich at 712-0243.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom