Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 Source: Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN) Copyright: 2007 The Moose Jaw Times-Herald Group Inc. Contact: (306) 692-2101 Website: http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2154 Note: No email LTEs accepted - use fax or mail SILENCE FROM COUNCILLORS ON DRUG STRATEGY WAS DISAPPOINTING Sometimes what isn't said speaks louder than what is said, and what hasn't been said is of concern to Terry Coleman, chief of police, and a member of the Moose Jaw South Central Drug Strategy steering committee. The group made a presentation to Moose Jaw City Council last week in which it outlined the steering committee's work and provided details about the growing use of drugs and gang-related activity in Moose Jaw. The idea was that city council would endorse the work of the committee, acknowledge that it understands the growing problem in the city, and if not come up with a strategy, at least urge the steering committee to carry on. None of that happened in public at city council, leaving Coleman, and likely other members of the steering committee, frustrated with what must seem like a lack of leadership and interest on the part of city councillors. Coleman did admit that two councillors called him the next day to say they would take a more active approach towards the problem - but strangely, the identity of the councillors is a secret so far. City council normally wants to be the first on any bandwagon that affects the lives and safety of local citizens. Why council wouldn't propose a motion condemning increased drug use and gang activity and encouraging law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue the perpetrators is indeed baffling. On the one hand it wants to promote the city as a safe environment for raising families and doing business, but on the other hand, it is deafeningly silent on measures being taken to ensure that safe environment. Coleman says most residents have their heads in the sand when it comes to realizing the magnitude of the problem in Moose Jaw. It seems the civic leaders also suffer this same head-in-the-sand affliction. That is not the kind of leadership one would expect from a council that in many other ways is gung-ho in looking for solutions to problems that afflict the city and endanger its residents. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek