Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-05-21, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1986 For many of the over 30 gang with reseeding and even graying hairlines and protruding midsections, life in high school meant a more than passing expsoure to drugs and drug users. Even if you were only vaguely familiar with the names of drugs, let alone what they looked like, chances are you were well aware of who used them and who sold them. There were always rumors about the drug- gies circulating and short of arrests and convictions, they were rarely substantiated. But as those same people who may have experimented with a myraid of chemicals in the 60s and 70s are sending their own children off to school, the problem of drugs is much more personal and peer pressure has led to renewed concern for todays parents. This week, an estimated five million peo- ple are expected to participate in walks and rallies across Canada and the United States DAVE SYKES to publicize the newly -formed 'Just Say No' to drugs program. The program is one of a list of parent and student initiated•programs aimed at reduc- ing the use of drugs and alcohol among young people. Other programs, such as Parents Against Drugs, Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) and Parents To Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (PRIDE) have grown and flourished from groups of concerned parents and students who have seen first-hand what drug and alcohol abuse has done to their friends. Many young people have died needlessly in drug and alcohol related accidents but to- day more pressure is being exerted on young people to say no. A newspaper article suggests that parents in Regina have organized a Safe Graduation Program that buses students to and from parties to reduce accidents. In Nova Scotia, senior high school students often coach their elemen- tary counterparts on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. A study conducted by the Addiction Research Foundation in 1985 revealed that a high percentage of young people, especially high school students, used alcohol and drugs on a regular basis. With respect to the use of cocaine, experimentation with the drug was on the increase. While teen and parent groups combine to educate students and peers on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, pro sport has been bat- tling the problem on all fronts. °While many professional leagues have helped the athlete face and beat the problem of drug addiction, hockey seemed to cling to the fallacy that its membership was of the choir boy persuasion. Hockey players don't get into drugs, the commissioner would claim, adding that those who dared would be face expulsion. A recent article in a sports magazine sug- gested that at least five members of the Ed- monton Oilers were drug users and that the problem was a contributing factor in the team's demise this year. The National Hockey League will be deal- ing with that and other confessions in the weeks to come but it is interesting to com- template the role of the athlete in our socie- ty. Young people grow up with sports heroes and I feel these highly paid athletes owe something to the image of the sport and the fraternity. Their actions can easily influence young adoring sports fans who often want to emulate every move of their favorite player. This summer, eight NHL players are working with the RCMP speaking to groups of young people in schools across the coun- try. Among the, eight players is Gary Nylund of the Toronto Maple Leafs who feels he can help inject young people with a positive self- image without drugs. Efforts and programs like that can only help both the sport, the image of the athlete, and our young people. Those young hockey players participating should be applauded. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 Goderict,the SIGNAL -STAR EBT AC a � POUNO�COMMUNLTY' B NOWBP SEO IN CANADA P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINB BT. INDUSTRIAL. PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7A 4BB PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 end published every Wednesday at Ooderioh, Ontario. Member of the CCNA end OCNA. Bubsorlptlone psyeble In advance 588.00, [Senior Citizens 6118.00 privilege nerd number required) In Canada, 580.00 to U.B.A., 580.00 to ell other countries, Bingle copies BOC. Display, National end Classified advertising retea evellable on request. Please ask for Rete Card No. 18 effective October 1, 1985. Advertleing Is accepted on the condition theft In the event of a typographical , the advertising J' - epnoe-occupled-by-th item. together with the..resianeble allowance for signature,,_will not be charged for but that Iasi/mos of the advertisement will be peld, for et the applicable rets. In the event of 5 typographical advertising goods or services et a wrong price, gbode or cervices may not be sold. Advertising Is merely en offer to sell, end may be withdrawn et any time. The 81gne1-Star is not responsible for the lose or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other meteriele used for reproducing purposes. General Manager Editor Advertising Manager, SHIRLEY J. KELLER DAVE SYKES DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDIT ORIAL OFFICES...pleeee phone [6191624-2814 Second class *CNAmail registration Member: number 0716 O3 CCNA an Stillness at dusk • � 'n Goderich a,� � � Go Carnation camp gnGive students a chance aU.�,i �. � .� ,.,.r , 1. �� success st �d�i, gut � by Paul Hartman Now that the Victoria Day holiday weekend has officially signalled the beginning of sum- mer, it also brings with it reminders that the completion of the school year is not far off for many students. And at, this time of year, it means that thousands of secondary school and university students will be eagerly seeking employment for the summer months. Thousands of students will be pouring into the job market, looking for full and part-time positions until they return to the education system in September. Most community college and university students are already working in jobs in the com- munity or, at least, have followed up on promising leads in the job market. Within a matter of a few weeks, they will be joined by hundreds of area high school students who will also be looking for full and part-time employment during the summer vacation period. The summer job market is a tough one for the university and high school student to crack .these days. While the prospects for summer employment appeared to be much more plen- tiful a few years ago, today's students are finding they may need that extra edge of knowing someone or getting an early start to secure employment to finance their education. The student employment centre in Goderich has always been one of the most reliable resources and starting points for students looking for summer jobs. Willing to assist students in search of employment, the staff has a list of many employers looking for young workers. And they obviously have a list of willing workers who will take on any job in the community. Businessmen, industrialists and local merchants in the community who .have hired students to perform a variety of tasks, know full well the fresh approach, eagerness, dedica- tion and enthusiasm students bring to the workplace on a daily basis. They are eager to learn, eager to perfrom and eager to work for their paycheque. If you think you may require some extra help in your business over the summer months, contact the youth employment centre on East Street and give some deserving students a chance. The jobs don't necessarily have to be of the full-time variety. In fact, students are willing to perform a variety of tasks and chores, regardless of the hours. Younger students registered with the centre will even tackle odd jobs around the house and yard. If you require help for a day or two, or even for a few weeks or months, there are students available who will be more than willing to take on the job. Young people can clean things up around the house, clean out the garage or basement, paint, mow lawns, pull weeds and perform a variety of other odd jobs you may not have time to complete this summer. No doubt there are many university and high school students who could use the opportuni- ty to work for your business this summer. So why not give students a chance to prove themselves. You'll both be better for it. D.S. Leiters must be signed , Dear Editor', I am very pleased to inform you that our 1986 Carnation Campaign was again an outstanding success. To all whovolunteered their time and effort and to all who sup- ported our campaign a heart -felt thanks. A substantial amount was again raised and forwarded to' the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The funds will provide badly needed services for those who have M.S. and enable us to contribute to the na- tional research program. Multiple Sclerosis affects all of us. It strikes in the career and family building The Signal -Star has always published an active opinion page opposite the editorial page. Every week readers express their opinions on a variety of subjects and topics through the letters to the editor published on Page 5. We highly value the opinions of the readership and welcome that contact and insight on a regular bass. It is no secret that letters to the editor are widely read whether or not one hap- pens to agree with the opinions expressed. But with the expression of an opinion comes the duty and obligation of the author to stand by his or her thoughts. Subsequent to that, all letters submitted for publication should be signed by the author. The author can request that a pseudonym be used, but the writer's name and phone number must be left with the editor and is available upon request. If the letter expresses the opinions of a group of people, it may be signed as such but the name and number of a spokesperson should also be available to readers who request same. The Signal -Star receives several unsigned letters and they cannot be acknowledged. Freedom of speech is the hallmark of democracy but it also carries with it some respon- sibilities. D.S. We welcome your letters Doctors' com To The Editor: The Ontario Medical Association has com- promised and proposed a ban on extra bill- ing for emergency visits and procedures, and for patients on OHIP premium assistance (senior citizens and those that have passed the government's own means test). This eliminates the situation where LETTERS years: usually between 20 and 40 years of age. Its effects can be devastating; possible loss of vision and speech, the impairment of mobility and the use of the hands and arms. Almost every part of the body can be involved. Although the cause and cure of M.S. are still unknown, your generous support adds to our hope that through research answers will be found that will eventually lead to the eradication of this mysterious disease of our central nervous system. Special thanks to Auleen, Danielle and Natalie Theriault, John Garrick, Brenda Teichert, Audrey Kerr, Ilene Moerbeek, Lee Anne Langford, Jennifer Burroughs, Jackie Arlin, Donna Waterfield, Sandy Mathers and Laurie Zolob. These volunteers contributed greatly to our success. Please accept my whole -hearted Thank You. Diane Melick Chairperson for the Goderich Carnation Campaign. sensible solution' promise sense the real possibility existed for occasional serious billing problems within the present system. It is a "sensible Ontario solution". Bill . C94 on the other hand, is bureaucratic, unfair and destructive. It is not solution, but a Liberal - NDP disaster leading to health care confrontation and chaos. We fear the Liberal government will continue to blindly follow the NDP agendzsto total state-controlled medicine. We hope instead that Premier Peterson will have the wisdom and courage to solve the problem by adopting the "sensible On- tario solution". James Rourke Leslie Rourke Ontario budget combines social concern and common sense • • By Jack Riddell, M.P.P. Huron -Middlesex ONTARIO BUDGET The 1986 Ontario Budget presented by my colleague, Treasurer Robert F. Nixon, on May 13, holds the line on general tax in- creases, provides incentives to innovation and entrepreneurship and responds to the needs of individuals, regions and industries that are not sharing in the general prosperity. "This is a budget that'. combines social concern and common sense," said the treasurer. Its goal is "to sustain the upsurge in investment, job creation and economic • growth that now characterizes the Ontario economy and to build a more reliable and sensitive spectrum of social programs". Nixon described the province's social pro- grams as an integralpart of the wealth - creation process needed to help build a healthy economy. The treasurer expects the Ontario economy to remain buoyant, growing in real terms by 4.2 per cent and creating 175,000 new jobs this year. "The strong economic climate gives us the opportunity to build, the foundations of continued prosperity," said Nixon, adding that "the surest route to continuing pro- sperity," said Nixon, adding that "the surest route to continuing prosperity is a combination of good business and businesslike government". In announcing measures to improve the )efficiency and cost-effectiveness of govern- ment, the treasurer said restraint programs are false economy when they convert the provincial deficit to "waiting lists for hospital beds, rows of portable classrooms, 111. QUEEN'S PARK neglected universities and bumpy roads". Innovation and Entrepreneurship The budget contains funding for a number of programs to stimulate innovation and en- trepreneurship, and'to promote cooperation between labour and management. Some of these programs were announced in the Speech from the Throne last month. The government proposed the following actions today: -To stimulate private sector investment in new technology, the budget sets aside $100 million this year for programs to encourage high-tech development. Some of these pro- grams will be carried out in partnership with the federal gove nment, universities and the private sector.This year's allocation is part of a $1 billion technology fund an- nounced in the Throne Speech, to be directed by a council, chaired by Premier David Peterson. -To encourage small business and job creation, the Ontario Development Corpora- tion (ODC) budget will be increased by $10 million this year. As part of its expanded role, the ()DC will administer a New Ven- tures program,which will provide loan guarantees or newly established businesses to a maximum of $15,000 mat- ching the entrepreneur's own investment in the business -To recognize the growing importance of the service sector, service sector, the Small Business Development Corporations (SBDC) pro- gram will be broadened to include firms of- fering certain support services to business. -To encourage Employee Share Owner- ship Plans, the budget proposed that a 15 per cent tax credit for employees on up to $2,000 of annual purchases of eligible shares in their employers' corporations take effect in 1987. The province plans' to reimburse businesses for one-third of the cost of setting up plans to a maximum of $10,000. Farms Regions and Communities -Renewal and broadening of the Com- munity Economic Transformation Agreements (CETA) program, which pro- vides provincial backing for local initiatives to enable long-term job creation. This pro- gram is expected to be of particular benefit to eastern and northern Ontario. -Expanded programs for economic development in northern Ontario. These in- clude a $17 million allocation this year from the Northern. Development Fund; an extra $15 million for health care, transportation and education iniatives in Northern On- tario; a 13 per cent increase in the forestry budget; and new funding for the tourism industry. -Assistance to Ontario farmers—who, Nix- on said, "are experiencing the worst condi- tions since the 1930s"—by increasing the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to $457 million, an increase of 39 per cent since the government took office. -Introduction of a new, updated Mining — Tax Act which maintains the maximum pro- cessing allowance at 65 per cent. ' Social Programs and• the Quality of Life Nixon also announced irn ortanpane 5