Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County council will discuss issues regarding drug awareness education for students and enforcement of illegal drugs at meetings scheduled with cabinet ministers in early November.
At its regular meeting Oct. 23, council finalized updated briefing notes to lobby government for drug awareness education in schools and enforcement. Big Lakes council has scheduled meetings with several ministers at the fall convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Nov. 4-7.
Council will discuss the issues with Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis, Justice Minister Mickey Amery, Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams (Peace River MLA) and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
Council requested the ministers advocate various education stakeholders to implement drug-awareness education in all schools to ensure comprehensive evidence-based programs that address the needs of students and promote healthy choices regarding substance use, the briefing note states.
Stakeholders include school administrators, teachers, school divisions, counsellors, Alberta Education, Alberta Health Services, parents, school councils and students.
“Drug awareness education in schools and drug enforcement are two complementary approaches in addressing substance abuse issues, each playing important roles,” the briefing notes state.
“While specific data on drug use among youth in northern Alberta may vary by community and demographic, addressing substance abuse
requires a comprehensive approach that considers socio-economic factors, cultural contexts, access to services and effective prevention strategies tailored to the needs of local populations.”
Notably, council is concerned that students at Kinuso School, Joussard School and Grouard Northland School have been missing out on programs and presentations specific to Indigenous students as those schools are not located in Indigenous communities, the documents states.
The concern was raised by council at its regular meeting Oct. 9 when one representative each from the High Prairie RCMP and the Faust RCMP discussed council concerns on a regular visit.
Council will also talk to Ellis and Amery about the proposed provincial police force.
“Given ongoing discussions about a potential transitions to a provincial police force, Big Lakes County council is seeking to know if a provincial police force will improve policing service and if there will be more accountability,” the document says.
“What is the best solution for Alberta?
A meeting has also been confirmed with the RCMP.
Council requests a sergeant for Faust RCMP, a dog handler position based at High Prairie RCMP or Faust RCMP and housing for RCMP officers.
Big Lakes requests the RCMP explore the idea of housing for officers and conduct an analysis around creating a housing program in High Prairie to help attract and retain officers, but more specifically for more experienced and senior officers, the document says.