TABER'S DRUG CONFERENCE GIVES DOSE OF REALITY

Make no mistake -- some eyes were opened Thursday and Friday at the
Hooked on Hope conference., held in Taber.

Taberites and people from all over including Vauxhall had a first-hand
look at how easy some drugs are to make, how powerful the modern
substances are and the devastating effects addictions can bring.

Vauxhall has not yet developed a coalition to reduce drug use and
trafficking, but seeing how big of a problem drugs are a half-an-hour
away should cause locals to be aware drug abuse is occurring all
across the province.

The day included top-notch speakers Steve Walton, Dr. David Cook and
Alvin Law, each of whom had the audience on the edges of their
collective seats throughout their talks.

Taber also attracted the interest of Iris Evans, health and wellness
minister, and Premier Ralph Klein's wife Colleen, who is co-chairing a
provincial task force on crystal meth.

Taber's drug problem is not as bad as it is in some northern
communities. The community is doing what it can to minimize drug use
and trafficking and the impacts it has.

Vauxhall should learn from the example the Taber Community Against
Drugs group is providing. Locals should do what they can to help those
who are lost in a drug addiction and be proactive to ensure drug use
and trafficking in Vauxhall does not get any worse.

Taber Community Against Drugs has got the ball rolling and spread its
message as far as it can.

As conference-goers heard over and over again during the two days, it
does take an entire community to battle drugs. Agencies like AADAC,
the Taber Police Service, Taber schools and now TCAD, offer help and
valuable assistance.

However, to battle drug problems it is clear an entire community needs
to chip in.

Parents, coaches, businesses and other concerned citizens need to
realize the role they all play. Naturally, it all starts in the home,
with realistic and frank discussions between parents and their
children about illegal drugs. Parents however, do not always have the
capacity and expertise to deal with the issue effectively. In these
cases, there are agencies like AADAC,and the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP to
turn to and help parents develop a strategy.

In the end, if everyone works together, a difference can be made in
Vauxhall too. It is up to everyone to be a part of the process and
chip in where they can. Help is attainable, education is available and
teenagers and young adults need to be made to realize there are other
options to deal with their problems than using drugs to dull the pain.