Success Stories
Each of these communities started out just the same way. They had drug problems that were hurting their people, and they'd had enough of it. They simply got to the point where they decided that drugs are so lame, the people who deal them so pathetic, that neither deserved anyone’s attention anymore. So they got a few people together and built a strategy to take back their lives and the well-being of their communities. These are their stories:
Hinton, Alberta: In response to a growing crystal methamphetamine epidemic in their community of around 10,000, Hinton decided to take action. Since its inception, representation on the Hinton Drug Action Committee has included the schools, police, clergy, AADAC, hospital, municipal government, women's shelter, Community Health Services, Child and Family Services and Community Corrections.
How Hinton fought back: Hinton created the campaign group, “Meth Hurts” which included the following components:
- Door-to-door methamphetamine awareness campaign
- Education and social marketing campaign including community presentations, media articles, poster campaign, billboards and community benches.
- Hosting the 2004 Meth Hurts Community Mobilization Conference attended by 300 people from across the province.
The campaign was considered a success by the committee and community in that it:
- Significantly raised awareness levels in the community about crystal methamphetamine on the individual, family and community.
- The Hinton Drug Action Committee has achieved some concrete successes with the Meth Hurts campaign while also helping people to work together and learning about substance use prevention.
