Community Constable Rebecca Oxton is trying to educate Slave Lake youth as to the dangers of bullying and drug use. She has arranged for the youth activism group Robcan to come to town and spread its message to the children enrolled in the Summer Splash at Northern Lakes College.
“Bullying in Slave Lake is an ongoing issue,” says Oxton. “I’ve attempted to take a proactive approach to bullying and drug use in the community. I’ve arranged for the Robcan group to come up and put on a week-long camp for the kids.”
Sponsored by the Town of Slave lake, Robcan will be running from July 4-7, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and will show the children how to have fun without drugs and alcohol, emphasize respect, responsibility, and the roles young people play in their community and families.
“It’s a way to promote education rather than enforcement. With school being out, it’s a good time to do this.”
Oxton receives a large volume of calls pertaining to bullying and drugs from concerned parents and citizens. Dealing with bullying can be especially frustrating for parents and constables alike. Children under the age of 12 are pretty much immune to the laws and legislation surrounding offensive behavior.
“I’ve received calls in regards to kids walking to school and being picked on, pushed around, and bullied on the trails and hallways. That’s mostly what I’ve dealt with. I have offered, in numerous cases, to mediate, but I haven’t yet. Luckily, they resolve before it gets to that point.”
“We do have a public harassment by-law that states no person shall tease or torment any body else. Under the by-law, if they’re 12 and up, I can fine them.”
The penalty for breaking Slave Lake’s Public Place Harassment By-law (#17-2003) is $250. That can be a tough pill to swallow but things can get even worse.
“An issue with fighting can turn into an RCMP matter if there is an assault or something like that,” Oxton adds. “If it turns into a physical altercation and falls under the criminal code, the police will get involved.”
Oxton and the Town are hoping that it doesn’t always come to that.
“Robcan has been providing for summer camps for 11 years in Canada and have a wide variety of activities. It’s basically a fun-filled week with an underlying educational message. They make the learning fun, using games and fun to get a point across instead of saying ‘don’t do this, don’t do that.’”
For more information about Robcan’s and their visit to Slave Lake call 849-8009 or click robcan.ca.

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster