WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT DRUGS

More than 40 people turned out at a public consultation held in
Summerside on P.E.I.'s addiction services for youth. Here are some of
their comments.

Bill Campbell, counsellor, said the P.E.I. system simply isn't working:

"I've had calls from as far away as Alberta on a Prince Edward Island
youth. And the father going to go out there and wondering what he
could do because his son's going to die. I said, 'Find something in
Alberta. If you're interested in his life, don't take him to Prince
Edward Island.'"

One man spoke to the prevalence of drugs on the Island:

"I went to the drug store and there was a youth in there that had a
prescription from a doctor 35 miles away for Oxycontin. He got it
filled. He picked up his cellphone and he sold those pills before he
walked out of the drug store."

A mother and grandmother argued it takes too long to get help:

"From the time that you find out that there is a problem - and that
can take awhile - until you actually get treatment, there's too much
time lapsing. The child could either be dead or they're so far in
that it's going to take that much longer to get them back on track, if we can."

One woman spoke as a mother and a break and enter victim:

"When these children, or our youth, are on these drugs they cannot
make good decisions. And they are controlled by the drugs and usually
make bad choices. We have to get these kids before they break the law
or we lose them to the drug dealer or -- worse yet -- suicide."

A mother and former B.C. resident commented on P.E.I.'s services:

"I don't think that it's very productive for youth to be shoved into
a facility with adults. I came to Prince Edward Island 10 years ago
and was shocked at how little is here on this Island for youth and
children. It has improved in the last 10 years, but it's not enough."

Dr. Sheldon Cameron, longtime advocate for addiction services, spoke
about the need for long-term treatment:

"Most of these people that we're involved with now are far advanced
drug addicts and it's going to take more than office visits to do
anything worthwhile with them."

Jacqueline Reeves, teacher, spoke about positive programs at Three
Oaks Senior High School, but also expressed frustration:

"That is the problem here on Prince Edward Island. Parents and
students and teachers -- we don't know where we can go to get the
help that our youth need."

HAVE YOUR SAY: If addiction services for youth were to be improved
and/or expanded, what would you recommend? Send submissions no later
than Feb. 28 to fax number (902) 892-1919 or email vaconsult@isn.net.