S e e O a k v ille 's B e s t R e a l E s t a t e s e c t io n in s id e ! www.oakvillebeaver.com C o m m u n ity s p irit u n iq u e ly a w a rd e d W e p r e d ic t y o u w ill e n jo y t h i s in te rv ie w . ` Every W ednesday £ Sunday AMC Theatres STORY PAGE 8 A Metroland Publication Vol. 44 No. 25 ARTSCENE' WEDNESDAY EDITION · MARCH 1, 2006 (QEWS Winston Churchill) 905-829-3233 60 Pages $1.00 (piusGST) ` Using Communication to Build Better Communites' Teen crack use on the rise By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER [ L o o k w a y u p New Bronte Quadrangle plan falls flat O p p o n e n t s w o n 't s e l l o u t h e r i t a g e f o r c o m p r o m is e By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Cocaine and crack use among local youth is on the rise. That's one of the findings of a recently-conducted provincial survey on stu dent drug use, and a fact that was vali dated by professionals who work with youths in Halton. A report presented to the health and social services committee last week from Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal notes that in western Ontario -- which includes Halton -- cocaine use amongst students has gone from 3.6 per cent in 1999 to 6.2 per cent in 2005, which is the highest prevalence com pared to other areas surveyed in the province. Dr. Nosal also reported that an infor mal scan conducted by public health nurses last month through consulting professionals like school staff, police and youth workers validated that cocaine and crack use has increased among Halton youth. Public health nurse Lorraine Gold filled the committee in on other details of the provincial survey. "Since 1993, cocaine use has been steadily increasing for both males and females," she said. She noted that the most striking jump is seen in Grade 11 students, going from a 2.5 per cent usage rate in 1993 to 7.2 per cent last year. Gold also said that about 1,600 Halton students used cocaine at least Once last year. Other statistics presented on local drug use include: · 62 per cent, or about 22,000 Halton students, reported using alcohol during the 12-month period before the survey; See Survey page 5 Bronte residents don't want the village's future to be bought at the expense of its past, and don't want its heritage traded for high rises. An eleventh hour plan put forward by developer Cityzen/Birch Grove Homes, which, now jowns the former Bill Hill property known as the Bronte Quadrangle, has failed to win over opponents. One after another rose to speak in yet another marathon public hearing held at Town Hall' s Planning and Development council meeting Monday. The meeting didn't finish and was recessed to begin again Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. -- again in Council Chambers. The new plan revamps one scrutinized by council, planners and residents last December. It promises more groundfloor commercial space, a town square, shorter high rises and less underground parking. However, it would move the historic Glendella House from where it has sat, for years overlooking Bronte See Time page 7 Inside Automotive.................13 Living........................ .16 Artscene.....................20 Sports .......................... 23 Classified Full Delivery: Mark' s Work Warehouse 28 Partial Delivery: SportMart, City Parent, Hoopers Flora, Coast Mountain, The Wine and Cheese Show, Home Outfitters, Topper' s Pizza, Part Source, The Bay, ' Business Depot, Bouclair, The Brick F o rh o m e d e liv e r y& a isto m s e r v ic e c a ll( 9 0 5 )8 4 5 9 7 4 2 M o n , T u e s .,& T h u r s .9 a .m .-6 p .m .W e d .& F r i.9 a m -8 p .m . o rS a tu r d a y1 0 a .m .-4 p .n F o rn e w s u b s c r ip tio n s ,c a ll( 9 0 5 )8 4 5 9 7 4 2 o rs u b s c r ib e o n lin e@ m w .o a b ile b e a v e r .c o m DELIVERY SVLC (S u p p o rt Y o u r Local C arrier) LI ESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Ruth Cha and her niece, Meghan Li, chats with stilt walk er, Lindsay Stephens during the Fabulous February promotion in downtown Oakville Saturday. The Downtown Oakville BIA event also featured a fire eater and horse-andwagon rides to chase away the February blahs. BEAT THE BLAHS: F L Y E R D E L IV E R Y Q u a n titie s a s lo w a s 1 0 0 0 905-845-9742 ext 273 T h o u sa n d s o f U sed CDs & DVDs OAKVILLE TOWN CENTER, U S E D C D O U T L E T N. Service Rd. (Future Shop, Chapters Plaza) Buyt Sellf Trade www. beatgoeson .com 9 0 5 -3 3 7 -1 9 1 9