'DRUGS ARE EVERYWHERE'

Ecstasy, cocaine, pot and alcohol are the drugs of choice for Tri-City
teens, says a youth addictions outreach counsellor.

Shannon Smith, who is employed by Burnaby Addiction Services, a
service of the Fraser Health Authority, said youth who abuse drugs
tend to be classified as "vulnerable" through physical violence and
sexual abuse at home, have mental health challenges or are in foster
homes.

"The biggest protective factor for vulnerable teens is positive
relationships in key settings," Smith said. "That's through schools,
family and friends with healthy attitudes."

Smith, who has been working with Tri-City youth aged 13 to 24 since
August and whose job was created as a result of the local meth
problems that flared up two years ago, said young people who abuse
drugs come from a variety of backgrounds.

Currently, she has 21 clients whom she talks to and meets with
regularly "to build relationships, to get them feeling safe and to
make them feel comfortable," she said. "They need positive choices."

And though she previously worked in Surrey and Delta, the Tri-Cities
have similar issues with youth addiction despite its smaller population.

"It doesn't matter what community you're in," she said. "Drugs are
everywhere. No community is safe."