TOGETHERNESS HELPS BEAT ADDICTIONS

Teamwork And Support, Resilient Children Key In National Addictions
Awareness Week

COLD LAKE - Togetherness will be the name of the game for National
Addictions Awareness Week 2000.

Traditionally the third week in November, the week has its beginnings
in 1980, where Drug Awareness Week was co-sponsored by the Nova
Scotia Commission on Drug Dependency. By 1985, Drug Awareness Week
had become a national event, but in 1987, the Drug Awareness Week
partnership of aboriginal communities from across Canada wanted the
week changed to National Addictions Awareness Week, which would
encompass all addictions.

The week continues until Nov. 18.

The 2000 national theme is It Takes a Whole Community to Raise a
Child. The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) has
adopted as its theme "Making a Difference...Together". Joan Engler,
AADAC area supervisor for Cold Lake, says the city is not markedly
different from any other community in terms of an addiction problem.

"It has the same significance here as anywhere else in Canada," she
says. "Addictions are a big part of the puzzle."

She says while the week will go a long way in helping generate
awareness of the scope of addiction problems, it will also help in
celebrating the prevention initiatives which are currently being
undertaken.

"We're focussing on the celebration of what's going on," she says.
"There are excellent resources in the community. We want to increase
communications and understanding. We want to celebrate the joy of an
addictions-free lifestyle."

Addictions don't come without their costs, either. The total cost of
substance use in 1992 was $1.6 billion, with alcohol accounting for
$749 million, tobacco $728 million and illicit drug use amounted to
$135 million.

While there are no costs given for the financial impact of gambling
addictions, some signs of someone with gambling problems include
making larger, more frequent bets, hoping for the "big win", refusing
to explain their behaviour or lying about it and preferring to gamble
over spending time at a special family occasion, among others.

Engler says this year's focus is on the resilient child because of
the highly perceptive abilities of children.

She cited Dr. Raymond Reyes, a well-known psychologist who conducted
a survey among Native American students at Gonzaga University, as a
telling influence on what children should be taught as they grow up.

Among other things, Reyes' survey revealed that adults who treated
children with respect, listened to them, had a positive attitude, set
high expectations and helped them willingly, among other qualities,
went a long way in helping children succeed.

She adds teaching kids to be independent and self-motivated, and
helping them learn to relax, would be of greater benefit to kids
later in life.

In support of National Addictions Awareness Week and Family Violence
Awareness Month, several local agencies have banded together to offer
information and education about the correlation of addictions and
family violence.

Events such as a child identification clinic at the Tri-City Mall, a
Medical Fun Day at the 4 Wing Medical Squadron, and a Youth
Leadership Conference at Assumption school will be on the go all day
Nov. 24. Contact 594-6006 for further information on the Family
Activity Day.