Pubdate: Wed, 30 Nov 2005
Source: Drumheller Mail, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Drumheller Mail Ltd
Contact:  http://www.drumhellermail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3615
Author: Christi Albers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

CRACK NOT JUST A POLICE PROBLEM

Drumheller Staff Sergeant Rene Wells, his staff and AADAC have teamed
up to challenge and teach Drumheller how to fight the growing crack
and cocaine problem.

Wells arrived in Drumheller in August of 2004, coming from Peace River
which also had a rising drug problem.

When making the move to Drumheller, he caught wind that there was a
rising problem in Drumheller, both in drugs, and community drive. Many
communities are quick to blame the cops for the rising problems, but
Wells says it's not just a police issue.

"I've seen so many places and scenarios where people point at the
police and say they aren't doing their job," says Wells. "Years later,
they still have the same problems if not worse."

Drumheller was no different, but Wells believes that people in the
community are in as much control of the problem as anyone.

With this is mind, Wells teamed up with Drumheller AADAC's Gerry
Mancini and together they began to brainstorm the 'Crack Trap' Life
Down the Pipe' coalition.

For the past year Mancini and Wells have been sorting through the
issues and tackling them one at a time, starting small.

Starting small is something that Wells came away with after a Drug
Task Force Coalition Showcase in Red Deer earlier this year.

"Think small, do small things and have obtainable goals," says Wells.
"If we try to do too much at once, we won't get very far, we need to
focus on solutions."

Through this coalition Wells wants to drive home the thought that this
is not just a police problem.

"This isn't just a police problem," says Wells. "It's a community and
health care problem."

"I've talked to neurologists and after so many years of use of these
kinds of drugs, the users end up needing institutional care," says
Wells. "We can't even handle that now, how are we going to in a few
years?"

Starting in February, presentations that reach out to relatives and
friends of those addicted will be held.

In the spring, a poster campaign will also begin.

"We need to keep it out there to make the awareness of the problem
strong," says Wells.

Wells challenges the community and businesses to show they care about
Drumheller's rising drug problem by stepping up to help solve the problem.

Signs sporting the 'Crack Trap: Life Down the Pipe' slogan are being given
to participating businesses to put up in their windows.

"By displaying the sticker, they show how they feel about it," says
Wells. He adds that these types of things are very inspiring to him as
well as others in the community.

"If they can do it in Peace River, they can do it here in Drumheller,"
says Wells.

Wells invites any businesses or individuals who want to jump in to
contact him at 823-7590 or Gerry Mancini at 823-1660.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin