METHADONE COCKTAIL IS STEALING OUR YOUTH

For more information or to help spread the word on narcotics abuse,
write P.O. Box 52644, Shreveport LA 71135-2644.

Turning tragedy to purpose takes courage, perseverance and great
generosity of spirit.

Bea Nash and Paula Harvey have chosen not to turn inward but outward
in the aftermaths of their sons' deaths from drug experimentation. By
spreading the word about the dangers of mixing methadone with Xanax,
the deaths of Nash's 19-year-old son, Phillip Guilbault, and Harvey's
23-year-old son, Jeremy Yerton, can serve as warning signals to
others who may be speeding along similarly precipitous paths.

Nash has gone so far as to establish the 4-Phillip Foundation to
raise awareness.

This deadly mixing of methadone, a drug best known for helping heroin
users beat their addiction, and other prescription drugs -- from
depressants such as Xanax to pain medication -- has been blamed for
more than 100 regional drug deaths in the past 18 months.

While most of law enforcement's and media's attention was turned
toward the scourges of methamphetamine and crack, methadone abuse
apparently sneaked in with the club crowd. It also sneaks up on users
when they mix the synthetic drug with Xanax. Phillip, for instance,
told his friends he was tired, went to bed and never woke up.

Awareness is a job for parents: Be alert to warning signs and don't
be rebuffed too easily when they ask sons and daughters questions.
Friends also have a huge responsibility to intervene.

It's a matter of life and death. Think Russian roulette, says
Shreveport narcotics officer Mark Holley. "If you keep using it,
eventually, you are going to hit a live round. It is just a matter of time."