Does Hanna have a drug problem? Not really, but they don't want to have one either and they're taking action.![]()
"There does seem to be some illegal drug usage in the demographic, the 20-25 year old range, for sure," reported Angela McGillion, the town's community services programmer. "Obviously, that can have a trickle down effect to our younger youth in our community and that's a concern."
"We are looking at this time to bring in a presenter, say towards the end of February," she told 99.5 Drum FM. "(They would) speak to students, but also have an evening presentation for any adults in our community to attend as well."
A 2007 study showed that 20 per cent of Grade 6 students had tried inhalants and by age 13 the average kid has tried or at least been offered illegal drugs or alcohol. On a provincial level, the concern is on the drugs Fentanyl and Crystal Meth.
"We have somewhat of a transient population here as well," noted McGillion. "I'm not saying that they're the ones bringing it in, but it's definitely an avenue for these substances to come into our community. We just want to remain that caring community that can take care of all of our members."
While a speaker has not yet been booked and the presentation date has not been set, McGillion believes it would probably be soon after the Family Week break.