Police say more youth are exposed to drugs every day, and more people become addicts.

But some area residents say they don't plan on letting drugs take hold of their community.

"We're going to be proactive and arm ourselves with knowledge and strategies in the fight against substance abuse," said New Maryland Mayor Frank Dunn.

"There's a high risk of substance abuse among teens and adults in the province of New Brunswick. It's not much of a problem in New Maryland right now, but we want to make sure it never becomes a problem in our community."

The New Maryland council's policing committee is holding a public meeting to mobilize against substance abuse in rural areas.

It will take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the New Maryland Centre.

Allie McIntyre, member of the committee, said the meeting will help people recognize the signs and dangers of substance abuse.

It will serve as an open forum on strategies for keeping drug problems out of communities, McIntyre said.

The idea for the meeting came after an RCMP presentation in Chipman on crystal methamphetamine and in Blackville on other drugs.

"At one time, experts would go around to communities who have drug problems and tell them what to do," McIntyre said.

"That rarely works, so what we're trying to do is have the community take ownership of this. We want to identify any problems we might have now or in the future and ways we can solve those problems."

RCMP members, researchers from the University of New Brunswick and employees of New Brunswick addiction services will be in attendance.

New Maryland, Chipman, Maugerville, McAdam and Stanley residents are also expected at the meeting.

RCMP Sgt. Derek Strong said it's gratifying and encouraging to see a community take a proactive approach to substance abuse.

"Clearly, New Maryland is looking at the world around them and seeing that substance abuse in communities is a major problem that's growing," Strong said.

"Learning about the risks and signs of substance abuse is of the upmost important. If you're pre-armed, you don't have to wait until it becomes an epidemic like it has in so many other towns."

Dunn said he's hoping for a big turnout for the meeting. The more community members involved, he said, the better.

"It's extremely important that we work together on this issue," Dunn said.

"No family, no individual and no community should have to deal with substance abuse alone. If we can work together, we can keep it from becoming a problem."

Strong said the meeting shouldn't scare people but it should serve as a warning that drugs can become a huge issue in a community if not dealt with right away. He said drugs problems can cripple a community -- doubling the crime rate and sucking community resources dry.

"Substance abuse is far too prevalent, especially amongst youth, so we're extremely happy communities are starting to take notice and make a commitment to change that," Strong said.