Pubdate: Wed, 05 Sep 2012
Source: Chronicle, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012, OSPREY Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/letters
Website: http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3831
Author: Lacie Williamson

RESIDENT HOPES PETITION WILL HELP FIGHT DRUG WAR

DUNNVILLE - Randy Urquhart has taken it upon himself to fight the good fight.

The Dunnville resident and father is fed up with adults selling 
illegal narcotics to children.

Urquhart wrote a letter to the editor of the Dunnville Chronicle 
informing the community of his actions and intentions.

"In the near future I will be distributing a petition demanding that 
our Government (Policing Services) take action against these local 
drug deals," wrote Urquhart.

"We'll give the petition to our Member of Parliament to let the 
Government know that we're tired of watching them stand by and do 
nothing to protect the youth of Dunnville. For the sake of the 
children, we have to take a stand."

Since the letter, published in Aug. 22's edition Urquhart has 
distributed petitions throughout all the local businesses and even 
received a visit from an Ontario Provincial Police officer.

"It was a public relations visit," said Urquhart. "A detective came 
and paid me a visit. We had a long talk and what it all boils down to 
is a lack of government funding which results in a lack of manpower."

However, it was even more motivation for Urquhart to distribute the petitions.

"I've had a lot of feedback everywhere I have dropped them off they 
seem to be very in favour of what I am doing," said Urquhart only one 
week after distributing the petitions.

Urquhart was grateful for the help he received from MPP Toby Barrett's office.

"As I was making the petition I contacted Barrett's office to get 
help writing a petition because I had never written a petition 
before, I had it almost done although Barrett's assistant suggested I 
reword a couple things," said Urquhart. "By myself, I'm just one man 
but I hope to have a lot of signatures and I see full sheets of 
signatures in some of the businesses I've left them in already. I was 
told by Toby Barrett's office that he would bring the signatures in 
front of Parliament before the Christmas Break."

Urquhart's action was sparked after witnessing the affects of 
teenagers using potent illegal substances.

"Anywhere they (Dunnville youth) go, they are propositioned to use 
drugs. I volunteer here in town with youth and I know that these 13-, 
14-, 15-year-old kids are using drugs and its sad," said Urquhart.

"Peer pressure has always been a big thing and some children are 
weaker than others and you need to protect these kids because they 
just want to belong and next thing you know they are hooked on some 
form of illegal drug."

However, not all community members are supportive. Although it 
disappoints Urquhart he understands the fear.

"All I'm doing is trying to help, I mean well," said Urquhart, "the 
drugs are so easy to come by, don't just sit back and admit there is 
a problem - this is a town we live in and we have to protect our children."

If you would like to show support for Urquhart's petition visit one 
of your local businesses in order to offer your personal information 
and signature before he collects the petitions in October.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom