A petition to address the fight against the rising illicit narcotic and prescription drug use, that has been circulating throughout the district has been well received to date, with hundreds of locals names etched on its pages, but organizers who are looking after it say, the more names the better.
“We need all the support we can get because these facilities are really needed in this community,” said Hugh Dennis, co-ordinator of the Rainy River district Substance Abuse Prevention Team.
“To date, we have hundreds of names signed, but since we are in the final week now, it’s important to get more support,” he added.
The petition was started back in July by a small group of parents and community members, known collectively as People Against Illicit Narcotics (or PAIN), who want youth addiction services and increased drug enforcement in the area.
There are 29 petitions that will be at the following locations until the end of August—Skates & Blades, Emo Health Centre, Rainy River Health Centre, Riverside Community Counselling Services, and several municipal offices.
Dennis said the group encourages everyone to sign the petition and thanks all who have recognized the need and signed so far.
“People have been very supportive, including several professionals in the community,” he said.
Riverside Community Counselling Services counsellor Jeff Tilbury said these facilities are important because they will bring a lot of help to the youth who require it.
“This will give the youth the help they need right here at home, it will also get them help faster,” Tilbury said.
“We need this. It is evident because I’m counselling 30 people at present for these addictions and we are seeing youth as young as 13 years of age on these drugs,” he added.
Tilbury explained, that as of present the wait times for youth to get into the closest youth addiction facilities, located in Portage La Prairie or Thunder Bay, can be an where from five months to a year.
“The wait times are far too long because when they need help they need it fast,” he said.
The facilities that PAIN is looking to have brought here will be broad and address all types of youth issues and won’t be just a treatment centre.
“We want a treatment centre, counselling services, psychological assistance, and drug education and awareness for these kids,” said Tilbury.
At the end of the month, Dennis and members of PAIN will be presenting government officials with it in hope they will take action.
PAIN meets on the first Monday of each month (Tuesday if it’s a holiday) at 7 p.m. at donated locations.
For more information about the petition or PAIN, contact Dennis at the Northwestern Health Unit office in Fort Frances (274-2861).
