Greater Sudbury's deputy mayor Doug Craig said the scourge of drugs and alcohol continues to destroy lives across Greater Sudbury and across the country, but there is hope as long as people want help and there are others willing to help.
Craig joined senior officers from Greater Sudbury Police, social workers who spend their careers trying to assist addicts, recovering addicts and members of the public to officially launch Drug Awareness Week Thursday at Tom Davies Square.
"We have to become more knowledgeable about this serious social issue," said Craig. "It's a social problem that does exist in this community and across this country.
"We have to be vigilant and persistent...and must address the serious problems caused by drug and alcohol abuse on a daily basis."
Const. Rob Brunette, a member of the police service's drug awareness committee, agreed.
The problems caused by drug and alcohol abuse not only affects individuals, but a myriad of relationships, including family, friends, co-workers and loved ones, said Brunette.
"An entire community can be negatively changed by the misuse of alcohol and drugs," he said.
People who need help to beat their drug and alcohol problems should realize there are people and programs across this community available, said Brunette.
"Talk to your kids, your parents, your neighbour, your co-worker," he said. "The more we talk about the issue, the easier it is to get help."
Greater Sudbury Police, Sudbury FOCUS Community Project and other community groups are setting up a display in conjunction with Drug Awareness Week. This will be available to the public between Tuesday, Nov. 21 to Thursday, Nov. 23 in the New Sudbury Centre.
Sudbury FOCUS Community Partners work closely with individuals, families and the community to provide programs to people of all ages, in schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, health care settings and neighbourhoods.
The public is invited to come out and learn about different projects, resources and issues relating to drug and alcohol use and abuse.
For the first time a Drug Awareness Week Movie Festival featuring films that highlight drug and alcohol issues will be held. A Youth All-Night Movies event will take place Saturday, Nov. 18 starting at midnight at Rainbow Cinemas.
A complete calendar of events for Drug Awareness Week is available at www.police.sudbury.on.ca.
