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J 22 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, November 28,1997 ~ n l d n e n ts t Grassroots effort growS t nl nentst By WILMA BLOKHUIS Special ta The Champion drug and alcohol abuse among teens bas devel- Wha ito ban as a grssotse fottocma Frmteinitial ides contained in a letter from Dick Cave and bis wife Sally Leppard, co-chairs of'an Oakville Community Consultation Committee, a coalition was formed to address prevention and treatment for substance abuse, and the mile of law enforcement for abusers. Within that coalition are four work groupa, one of which *as given the task of developing an Internet web site for Halton on substance abuse. Halton's 'Substance Abuse Prevention Tool Kit: Be Part of the Game Plan' is now reality. The interactive web site was officially launched recently with representatives of the various par- ticipating groupa expressing their satisfaction with ajob well done. 'Me new Internet site is the first of its; kind in Ontario. 'Me 'Tool Kit' can be accessed on the Intemet at: http://substanceabuse.region.halton.on.ca For those without Internet accesa, there is a book titled 'Be Part of the Game Plan: A Tool Kit for Halton Community' available. Both the Internet site and book contain statisties on sub- stance abuse among youth, information on what action can be taken to prevent this abuse, and a listing of community resources and who to con- tact for help. About a year ago, Mr. Cave and Ms Leppard sent lettera expressing their concerna over teenage drug and alcohol abuse to Joyce Savoline, chair of Halton Region. They had noticed an increase in substance abuse among high achool studenîs. Few statistics Mr. Cave also complained about the lack oi atatistica kept regarding youth crime and sub- stance abuse. At the time only regional atatistica were kept for ail crimes committed - there were no separate statisties kept on crimes committed by youth. "The link between pour health, substance abuse and crime is a potentially significant issue," he said, "and no real statiatica were avail- able at the time, and still not today." Since then, the Halton Regional Police Service has changed its record keeping and now keepa statistica on youth crime in Halton, says Ean Algar, deputy chief. About 1,600 youth crimes were committed in Halton st year, he said, Deputy Chief Algar explained the Halton Police support the web initiative, describing it as an investment towards combating youth sub- stance abuse and crime. "We can save $7 for every dollar spent on recidivism prevention," said the deputy chief. According to the introduction to the 'Tool Kit' web site, drug and alcohol abuse influence the lives of 74 per cent of Ontario's population, and costa the provice about $9.2 billion for health care, law enforcement and lost labour productiv- ity. Support for this initiative also came from youth themacîves." Drug abuse up Drug use among teenagers has been increasing during the 1990s," said Dr. Bob Nosal, chief medical officer for Halton. "Manly have experi- mented with substances without any adverse effecta. But some have consumed alcohol and druga in amounts that cause thern serious harm." Ms Savoline spoke of the work group's energy to be able to launch the 'Tool Kit' web site in 50 little time. Got a.sports- 16,4Ustory ? 1.m Ca il Steve jjs LeBlane at 1I 878-2341. Dick Cave "I have seen many initiatives but not one where the people were quite so committed as thia one," raid Ma Savoline. Conceru over drug abuse resulted in the for- mation of a coalition of about 40 people who have met monthly since January. Involved with the development of this 'Tool Kit' were, among others, the Halton Regional Health Department, Halton's two boards of education, the Addiction Research Foundation, the Halton Regional Police Service, youth groupa and politicians. AIl work waa done mn-bouse ait Halton Region, resulting in minimal costa. For information, caîl Mary Tabak at the Halton Regional Health Department ait 825-6060 Ext. 7825; TTY 827-9833. INSERT Actual priceY1 Only at Bell Mobility can you get the world's smallest phone for possibly the world's smallest price. Just put your hand up to it and see why it's the mobile phone everyone wants. ~149'~ Motoola taTAC *AII items are exactly as shown. 0<5,r su5j.st to chang not corbfrbl wih othe, o9<5,, milable a pa>5ocpating dealer, whi, suppies li. Phone,,,,y ntbe, eaty as thos,, Talkürnec ~pp4k"iI.*. taeI" distanc,cneto chargeana . s ys e s at s >s ig & optinltrs ex. îOA. 015,r vahd, on >5 SolP 6000iC Q WIRE-LESS CONNECTIONS INO. Bell MobiIity Centre 377 Main St. E., Milton, Ontario- 19T 1 P7 TOl: (905) 878-1113 e11 AWcbiIity Springers, GYMNASTIC CLUB REGISTRATION Monday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p. m. at the gym Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m. at the gym GYMNASTICS-A WONDERFUL WINTER WORKOUT! 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