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Action group makes call for volunteers

The strategy devised by the St. George's Action Group (SGAG) is part of a wider drive to build partnerships, gain feedback and create momentum in favour of community action against alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.

in the war against drugs.

The strategy devised by the St. George's Action Group (SGAG) is part of a wider drive to build partnerships, gain feedback and create momentum in favour of community action against alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.

SGAG, which evolved out of a Council Partners fundraising group in 1995, has spent the last six months reorganising in an effort to provide more effective solutions to substance abuse in the East End.

"We're trying to start at the parish level and we will only be as successful as the community that supports us,'' SGAG spokesperson Dominique Smith told about 30 people at at a meeting on Wednesday night.

And success in the fight against drugs, while not easy, is entirely possible, she said, pointing to recent advances the citizens of Ord Road have made in their fight against drugs.

St. George's residents were given a first look at SGAG's battle plan starting with a short term goal of establishing an effective parent education, training and development programme.

Within 18 months SGAG hopes to advance to its mid-term goal of putting in place an efficient referral system to meet the needs of anyone with alcohol, tobacco or drug problems; to build strong community involvement and commitment for relapse prevention; to sponsor two to four regular forums in the areas of drug addiction prevention, intervention, treatment and relapse therapy; and to develop an interactive youth partnership and teach positive alternatives and life skills.

SGAG's long term goal is to become known as a resource centre for alcohol, tobacco and drug information in St. George's and to assist the community in providing a safe and healthy atmosphere through the building of strong partnerships.

Mrs. Smith said she was looking for people to volunteer their technical expertise to help SGAG conduct a community survey.

Other volunteers are needed to participate in SGAG's parent to parent programme which follows US-based PRIDE's model.

"The end result (is) if the community does not identify with the group then we're just wasting our time,'' said Mrs. Smith.