STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF DRUGS

They Had No Idea Of What Damage Can Be Done

RIDGETOWN - Natasha Tobias knows that drugs are bad.

But before Wednesday she didn't really know why.

The Ridgetown District High School Grade 9 student said a presentation
by a local public health nurse and OPP officer shed light on the
reason behind the "Just Say No" message.

"They tell you not to do it but they never really tell you why," she
said. "I knew about the drugs, I didn't know any of the things that
can happen."

Tobias said she didn't realize all the side effects associated with
marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD and methamphethamine, the drugs
discussed during the presentation.

Her friends Rachel Richardson and Stacey Jones agreed, noting they
didn't know about the health risks involved with illegal drugs.

Richardson said she learned a lot during the presentation.

"I think it was really informative. I didn't know any of the stuff,"
she said.

Andrew Gall said the health effects are "crazy," and enough to scare
anyone away from trying drugs.

"It can change your whole appearance and mess you up for life," he
said.

Shawna Taylor, a nurse with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, and
OPP Const. Aaron McPhail, discussed the top five drugs used by high
school students.

During the joint presentation, McPhail gave details about the drugs
and Taylor went over the health impacts.

The students heard that cocaine is extremely addictive and can cause
serious side effects.

McPhail said cocaine is cut by drug producers with "all kinds of junk"
including bleach and baking soda.

"The people who make these types of drugs are not good people . . .
they are out to make money and they couldn't care less if the drugs
hurt you," he said.

Taylor said cocaine can cause insomnia, loss of appetite, paranoia,
anxiety and depression.

"A lot of time people on coke will commit suicide just to get away
from what they are experiencing on this drug," she said.

McPhail warned the students against using ecstasy, a drug he said can
kill you.

He said often times people get dehydrated and their bodies overheat on
ecstasy.

"They are basically cooking from the inside out," he said.

He added the drug can cause holes in the brain.

"You are basically lobotomizing yourself," he said.

Taylor agreed, noting the drug can injure the brain's neurons.

Dylan Peck thought the presentation was good because it spotlighted
specific drugs and the risks they pose.

"It made me know not to do drugs," he said.