Pubdate: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Taber Times Contact: http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262 DRUG CONFERENCE GOOD STARTING POINT Make No Mistake - Some Eyes Were Opened Thursday and Friday at the Hooked on Hope conference. Locals had a first-hand look at how easy some drugs are to make, how powerful the modern substances are and the devastating effects addictions can bring. The Taber Community Against Drugs and the Taber Police Service deserve a ton of credit for bringing the conference to town, an opportunity many took advantage of on Friday at the Heritage Inn. The day included top-notch speakers Steve Walton, Dr. David Cook and Alvin Law, each of whom had the audience on the edges of their collective seats throughout their talks. Taber also attracted the interest of Iris Evans, health and wellness minister, and Premier Ralph Klein's wife Colleen, who is co-chairing a provincial task force on crystal meth. Our town is attracting a lot of attention as it attempts to battle a drug problem that is perhaps not as serious as those found in other communities but disturbing nonetheless. Friday's drug conference, and the preamble Thursday's luncheon provided, mark an important step in the process here. Taber Community Against Drugs has got the ball rolling and spread its message as far as it can. Now, it is up to the rest of the citizenry to help boost the drug task force, spread the message and fan out to cover the entire community. As conference-goers heard over and over again during the two days, it does take an entire community to battle drugs. Agencies like AADAC, the Taber police, our schools and now TCAD, can certainly offer help and valuable assistance. However, it is clear the entire community needs to chip in. Parents, coaches, businesses and other concerned citizens need to realize the role they all play. Naturally, it all starts in the home, with realistic and frank discussions between parents and their children about illegal drugs. Parents however, do not always have the capacity and expertise to deal with the issue effectively. In these cases, there are agencies like AADAC, TCAD and the police to turn to and help parents develop a strategy. In the end, if everyone works together, a difference can be made in Taber. It is up to everyone to be a part of the process and chip in where they can. As Mayor Ray Bryant said on Thursday at the luncheon, it would be nice to put a protective barrier around Taber, one that screened out all the drug traffickers and users trying to enter our town. That, of course, is not realistic, but what can be done includes educational campaigns to prevent future drug use and extending a helping hand to those already hooked. Help is attainable, education is available and teenagers and young adults need to be made to realize there are other options to deal with their problems than using drugs to dull the pain. That was a common theme among Friday's three main speakers, a message that must be spread throughout Taber. So, in the coming months, jump on board with TCAD, find out where you can make a difference. Reach out to a troubled teen and make a difference before a situation gets worse. If everyone helps out where they can, Taber can become as close to a drug-free community as it can be. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin