Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2007
Source: Summerland Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Summerland Review
Contact:  http://www.summerlandreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1143
Author: John Arendt

TASK FORCE TO DISCUSS DRUG ADDICTION ISSUES

Cocaine use identified as local drug problem

A community drug task force is looking at ways to inform the 
community about local drug abuse problems.

Jody Meyer, alcohol and drug counsellor for Summerland, says there 
are six people on the committee at present.

"We're just in the planning stages with community activities right 
now," he says.

He adds that there are several initiatives under consideration for 
the coming year.

These include holding another student poster contest for middle 
school students, providing education for employers about signs and 
symptoms of drug abuse among employees, holding activities for Drug 
Awareness Week in November, including school educational sessions and 
offering a parenting workshop.

Meyer says the drug task force has received strong community support, 
but Summerland continues to have drug issues.

"This year, we have a lot of cocaine in Summerland," he says.

Other popular drugs include marijuana and alcohol.

Crystal methamphetamine, which raised concerns several years ago, is 
not as prevalent as other drugs, he adds.

Meyer says that while cocaine has been expensive, the price of the 
drug has come down in recent years.

"We should really be focusing our efforts on cocaine and marijuana," he says.

"Cocaine has always been a problem."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart