CATCH THE KIDS YOUNG, YOUTHS ADVISE OFFICIALS AFTER SEEING DRUG VIDEO

The screening of an educational video called Reduce Speed packed about 250
heath officials, police officers, teachers and high school students into
Begbie Hall at Royal Jubilee Hospital Monday night.

The new video, featuring youth addicted to crystal methamphetamine,
produced with grants from the Police Foundation of Greater Victoria, the
B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the Vancouver
Island Health Authority.

High school students who watched the film later impressed on educators the
importance of showing the film to Grade 8 students. According to the teens,
by Grade 10 such information will be "too late."

The students also emphasized that parents should watch the film: "Parents
think they know about drug issues but it's different now from 30 years ago."

Health officials stressed that the film is a catalyst for discussion and
that addictions experts should be on hand to answer questions.

Dr. Doug McGhee, who specializes in treating addicted youth, was involved
in directing and producing the film. He put the cameras and stories in the
hands of youth who became addicted to the popular synthetic drug. He is
hopeful the video will be shown in Vancouver Island classrooms this fall.

The video will be available in community and hospital libraries -- Victoria
General and Royal Jubilee hospitals -- in about 10 days.

The 22-minute documentary can also be purchased for $39.95 through the
audio visual department at Royal Jubilee Hospital -- phone 370-8204 or
e-mail avrjh@caphealth.org