STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT DANGERS OF DRUGS

Students from five elementary schools learned of the dangers
associated with crystal meth and other drugs during a recent
presentation by the OPP.

Drug dealers are increasingly lacing marijuana and other drugs with
highly addictive methamphetamines in the hope of hooking their
customers for life, a student audience heard this week.

"The potency is being raised as high as they can get it," OPP Const.
Gerry Dwyer told an audience of 450 students hailing from five
Orillia-area elementary schools.

A recent seizure of the club drug known as ecstasy contained
significant quantities of crystal meth, an addictive stimulant that
has wrought havoc on communities in western Canada and southern Ontario.

Prolonged use can lead to brain damage and cause irreversible harm to
internal organs.

Addicts often suffer paranoia and act violently, while rehabilitation
is said to be extremely difficult.

Users of pot and other drugs are often unwittingly ingesting crystal
meth, added to the mix by dealers aiming to drum up long-term
business, said Dwyer.

"People are getting something completely different," he added. "Drug
dealers don't care about our youth, they don't care about our
community. They will actually give it to them free so they will get
hooked. They are basically cash for life."

The talk was attended by grade seven and eight students, and focused
largely on the risks associated with a range of drugs.

Students heard from parents whose children had died from drug use
during an emotional video presentation entitled "Everything you need
to know about substance abuse in 22 minutes."

"That is the reality of some of this stuff," Dwyer said. "People will
question every pill a doctor gives them, but then they'll turn around
to the local drug dealer and not even question it."

Students also learned of the dangers associated with binge drinking
and smoking.

Gangs and violence were among the other issues tackled during the
morning presentation.

A 13-year-old who spoke with Simcoe.com readily acknowledged that
some elementary-age students are already using drugs.

"I see them all the time, walking to school and smoking a joint," he said.

Crack cocaine is the drug of choice for at least one of his
classmates, he said.

"Sometimes he comes to school and his hands are shaking," he added,
while stressing that he himself is "smart enough not to" to use drugs.