Acknowledging drug problem a good first step 
Written by Publisher - By Ryan Dahlman
Prairie Post    

Swift Current has a drug problem, but so does Shaunavon, Gull Lake, Brooks, and Taber and a lot of towns on the prairies have had cases in court where people have been convicted of trafficking or possession.

Last week, Swift Current city councillor Stacey Ellertson asked some questions of local RCMP officials following a presentation about crime statistics during the council meeting. Just to be clear: there was no disrespect aimed at the Swift Current Comp. High School administration, he was just pointing out an example which was relayed to him by some equally concerned parents.

While it was incorrectly reported he had a daughter that went there, the fact remains, Ellertson went public with some concerns which probably have some of the locals in their own way, sticking their collective heads in the sand. I’m sure there were many who didn’t like what Ellertson had to say and were angered in fact someone would have the gall to point out something negative in Swift Current.

The city councillor isn’t alone on his concerns about the seemingly escalating drug problem. If it wouldn’t have been Ellertson, it would have been somebody else. Something has to change.

Wake up people. Drugs are everywhere and unless people, especially the young, are taught about its ramifications, we’re going to have some serious issues with rehabilitation, broken families, increased crime and the toll it has on communities themselves.

Don’t think it could get worse in Swift Current or in your hometown? Take for example in northern Alberta where three teenage girls in two separate incidents have died from taking potent ecstasy pills in the last two months. The latest, a 14-year-old girl from Edmonton reportedly had been an advocate against drugs. The other two girls died in March after taking ecstasy at a wedding reception.

Sad and scary.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, go to Swift Current or your local provincial court sometime and see what’s on the docket. Pre-teens, teens and people of all ages are being caught with the stuff. Trust me, I see the RCMP releases about the latest arrests and that’s not even all of them which find their way to court.

RCMP have been busy nailing offenders and have made some big arrests. Years ago, it was the RCMP in Maple Creek who were pulling over drug pushers along the Trans-Canada hauling shipments for only heaven knows where.

Back when I was in high school, it was all about booze and not illicit drugs. There was the odd person who smoked weed or popped magic mushrooms, but we never saw this dangerous manufactured stuff such as meth, ecstasy or a lot of imported drugs like cocaine.

Ellertson has probably received some heat for asking some questions in a public forum because no one wants to rock the boat these days. With a lot of negativity in the world, we need some positive news and good publicity. For example, everyone wants Swift Current to uphold its bright, clean, wholesome image of where Life Makes Sense — and for the most part it does.

Swift Current has come a long way. There’s a new entertainment complex, the Credit Union i-plex is a high quality facility, many new stores and hotels have opened up, the hospital has been rebuilt, and there are many people moving to the community. For that, the City of Swift Current should be proud.

Sometimes it’s a fact of life: every community will inevitably face challenges. The drug problem isn’t only Swift Current’s problem. Visit most small towns in Saskatchewan or Alberta and you will find some sort of issue, i.e. drugs which plague the town.

It’s great to be a unabashed booster of your hometown, but addressing and acknowledging everything which isn’t perfect is important in building a strong community. Drugs are an ugly problem for many communities across the prairies and not doing anything about it is weak-kneed and will only cause further grief.