Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jul 2006
Source: Meridian Booster (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006, The Lloydminster Meridian Booster
Contact:  http://www.meridianbooster.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1590
Author: Leo Pare

CITY COUGHS UP $10,000 FOR DRUG ACTION STAFF

City Hall Has Shown Its Resolve In Backing A New Anti-Drug Campaign.

Lloydminster's newest weapon against drugs, the Drug  Strategy and 
Action Committee, has been gaining steam  in recent weeks, acquiring 
new members and setting  goals and priorities -- now, they need some 
cash.  Earlier this week, the City of Lloydminster stepped up  to the 
plate, approving a three-year financial  commitment of $10,000.

Lysyk said the purpose of the funding is to secure a  basic budget 
and enable the organization to employ a  full-time drug coordinator 
to accomplish its means and  objectives. A personnel search is 
currently underway  after having been approved by the board and 
executive  committee.

"What we really need to do is have a backstop," Lysyk  said. "The 
$10,000 will be each year for three years to  backstop the salaried 
person that's coming in. We'll  also be receiving conditional grants 
for certain  programming and other activities but if those fall away 
or we don't qualify, we don't want a crisis at the  end of the road."

The DSAC has about a dozen member organizations.  Although all these 
groups are active members, not every  organization can afford to help 
finance the drug  committee.

"We know some of the other major groups who are  stakeholders in this 
committee can afford it; some of  the smaller ones we just wouldn't 
ask," Lysyk said.  "Some of them are charities that are raising money 
for  their own cause."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman