PATHWAYS REACHING OUT TO PARENTS

Chad Teigen, a substance abuse prevention worker with Pathways
Addiction Resource Centre in Penticton, shows a bong that may be used
for smoking marijuana.

A highlighter pen may seem like a normal tool for a student to carry.
But not all highlighters are created equal. This working pink
highlighter is a little heavier than average and when the end is
pulled out, it is not filled with pink liquid, rather it is a compact
pink pipe used for smoking marijuana or other drugs.

This highlighter pipe is just one of the items parents will be shown
at Powerful Parenting, a forum being held by Pathways Addiction
Resource Centre at Princess Margaret senior secondary this week.

The forum is part of National Drug and Addictions Awareness Week,
which starts today.

Substance abuse prevention worker Chad Teigen said the forum is
focussed on parents because they are usually closest to a child, can
have the most influence and are the most capable of intervening.

The forum will provide frank information about drugs and drug use
among youth and teens and will "de-mystify the world of drugs," he said.

Teigen will also talk to parents about the signs and symptoms of
drugs use or potential drug use.

"It's not to gain paranoia," he said of the forum. "It's to raise
awareness ... If someone wants to hide something away, they will."

While most secondary school students will be around drugs at some
point during their time at school, Teigen is hoping the forum will
provide parents will the tools to ensure their children are less at
risk from being exposed to opportunities to try drugs.

Aside from alcohol and cigarettes -- the most commonly used and
abused drugs -- the most popular illegal drugs being used by local
school students are marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and magic mushrooms.

"Substance abuse is prevalent among our youth," said Teigen.

According to Stats Canada, more than 10 million people reported
trying marijuana at least once and one-third of those people use pot regularly.

And regular pot users can have impacts on mental health, including
anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.

Aside from the clinical effects, drug use can have an impact on a
teens sleep patterns, mood, weight, school grades and motivation.

Parents may feel afraid about talking to their children about drug
use but can help change the circumstances.

Teigen said he has seen success stories where parents have been able
to "get a grasp" on their children's drug use.

An emotional connection within the family unit is the key to success
- -- they need to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

Wednesday's meeting will give parents the tools to aid in the success
of the family unit. It will also celebrate some of the great things
parents are already doing, said Teigen.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. and is free.

As part of drug awareness week Pathways and the Penticton Indian Band
are also hosting an awareness walk on Monday at 10 a.m. leaving from
the band school to the hall.

On Tuesday Pathways will have an open house from 3-6 p.m., where
their will be information booths about the centre's various programs,
including the Parenting Wisely Program. There will also be refreshments.

Pathways is located at 996 Main St. in Penticton.