Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 23 Mickleborough emphasizes that cutting off drugs an addict may need is not the solution to a drug abuse problem. Dose-tapering can be helpful, though. Since the program started, Moose Jaw’s support services have seen a corresponding increase in detox participants. Significantly, prescription drug addicts who have had their allotments reduced as a result of this initiative have been supportive. “Many of the street-level users know they need help – they see doctors as the source of their problem,” Mickleborough emphasizes. “It’s important to express that we’ve never talked to a single prescription drug addict who doesn’t hate their addiction – it stops them from leading a normal life.” Mickleborough stresses that the program is still in its infancy. “This is the beginning of what we see as a long process of education, enforcement and support for both local users and traffickers.” He also hopes that other jurisdictions adopt a similar strategy. He and Spitzig have been invited to present at conferences in Saskatoon and Ottawa – to police, doctors and representatives from the Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse. They presented their strategy to a very enthusiastic board of doctors from the local health region in March. Dr. Brad Thorpe, president of a regional medical association, says physicians “knew that the problem was out there but were ignorant to the extent of it.” The presentation was such an “incredibly positive learning experience” they’ve requested additional seminars for other doctors, he noted. “There isn’t a lot of discussion between police, doctors, mental health and addiction professionals and drug addicts,” says Mickleborough. This program is one way of opening those tunnels of communication. Mickleborough, Spitzig and the Moose Jaw Police Service hope to bring those people who need help up from the underground and towards the light. ...Continued Moose Jaw Police Cst. Taylor Mickleborough may be reached by phone at 309-694-7600 or by email: [email protected] Lucas Habib is a freelance writer for Blue Line Magazine. GETTING AWAY FROM THE UNDERGROUND Moose Jaw Police tackle the over prescription of drugs SHOP WITH A COP Shop with a Cop is a program designed to benefit atrisk, needy and neglected children. The youth are selected by the teachers at school. There must be an economic need for them to participate. They are aged 7 -12. Each youth is given a $100 gift card from Zellers and gets to shop for their family for Christmas. They are paired up with Police Officers to assist them in their shopping. They buy gifts for everyone in the family and even their teachers but often have to be coached to buy something for themselves. The money for the gift cards is donated by Prince Albert Crime Stoppers, Prince Albert Police Association and PA Lions. Zellers also provides a 15% discount for everything that is purchased. Wrapping paper, gift tags and tape are supplied to the schools who then assist the youth to wrap the gifts for the family. The schools are chosen at random each year, keeping in mind the need that exists in that school. This program is designed to give the youth a chance to have a positive influence in their family. It also gives them a chance to have a positive interaction with the Police. For the Police it is a way to give back to the community. This event is VERY POSITIVE, both for the youth and for the officers. The first time it was held in Prince Albert was 2010. In 2011, after our event, one comment that was posted on PA Now was: “Last year I witnessed a student from my child’s school do this “Shop with a Cop.” When he returned to class with his shopping bags, he turned around and gave the cop a great big hug and said, “I may not believe in Santa but my baby brother does and I am going to keep it that way.” Well I think both the cop and I had to escape to the bathroom to ball our eyes out for a bit. It was so sad but such a good thing. How something so small can make such a difference. I have kept an eye on this student and have watched him grow into a really nice kid, helping others, his siblings, and generally caring about things rather than being somewhat of an average kid with nothing… I think this program does change lives, it is great.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==