Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Parklander, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Hinton Parklander
Contact:  http://www.hintonparklander.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/782
Author: Jessica Kerr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

TOWN FORUM TARGETS DRUGS

Hinton's Drug Action Committee (HDAC) and the RCMP are hosting a forum 
Sept. 28 to give the community an update on the war against drugs in Hinton.

The forum, Report Card on our Community Drug Problem, will start with an 
update from various service providers in the community.

Included on the panel, along with HDAC and the RCMP, will be the Alberta 
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC).

Tasha Allen Symon, AADAC area supervisor in Hinton, said the HDAC and the 
RCMP will be joined by representatives from Aspen Health Region, the Town 
of Hinton, Child and Family Services, and the Crown prosecutor.

Each member of the panel will offer an update on their group's role in the 
fight against crystal methamphetamine and other drugs, as well as updating 
residents on what has been happening in the community.

"Hopefully the community will be interested in that," said Allen Symon.

After each representative gives their update, the floor will be opened up 
for questions and feedback from the community.

The Hinton Drug Action Committee was formed in 2003, after the use and 
abuse of crystal meth became a significant concern in the community.

Statistics show meth -- also known as jib, ice, or crystal, among other 
names -- has become an increasing social ill since the mid-1990s. Arrests 
for meth trafficking in Alberta increased from 13 arrests in 1998 to 109 in 
2003.

The committee started an aggressive door-to-door campaign and a web site 
(www.methhurts.com) to bring awareness to the problem, which earned HDAC an 
Alberta Solicitor General Award in 2004.

Lobbying continues

Hinton councillor Mike Jodoin, who sits on the committee as one of his many 
roles on town council, said HDAC hasn't seen too much action since hosting 
the Community Mobilization Provincial Conference in October of last year.

The committee took a break over the summer and met again for the first time 
Sept. 15.

Jodoin said the group is still lobbying to have a rural detoxification 
centre set up in the Yellowhead region. As well, HDAC has been working with 
MLA Ivan Strang to help get some stronger legislation set up.

Strang tabled a bill, Bill 204, in the provincial legislature in March of 
this year that will regulate the storage and sale of ephedrine, 
pseudoephedrine and products containing the two drugs. Both of which are 
used in the production of crystal meth.

At the forum, the committee will be looking to the public for direction, 
said Jodoin.

The forum is set for Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the community centre.

For more information call the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission at 
865-8263.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom