OPEN, HONEST TALK A KEY TO BEATING DRUG USE HERE

Internet Provides A Graphic Glimpse

I remember when I was in high school we had a guest speaker. I don't
recall if he was talking about drinking or drugs. What has stuck in my
mind throughout the years though wasn't what he said, but rather what
he didn't say. He didn't give us the usual lecture on drugs and
drinking being bad. He didn't read us some random statistics that had
no relevance. Instead he just talked about his own experiences. He was
open about what had happened. He talked to us like we already knew
what he was talking about - because in many cases we did know.

I have to say I was a little torn when I was told I was going to have
to write this column. When it comes to drugs, I've seen things that
perhaps aren't fit for print. Then again, maybe if I write them down
and someone reads them the message will be that much stronger.

So maybe I shouldn't tell you that I've seen cocaine make someone so
wound-up that he threw his own sister against a wall. And maybe I
shouldn't tell you I've watched one of my closest friends pick her
skin until it bled because she was high on crystal meth. Maybe I
shouldn't tell you I've seen people begging and pleading because they
don't have enough money for their fix. Or that I've seen someone go
back time and time again to a volatile relationship because their
partner is also their supplier. Or that I once drove someone to the
hospital because they were driving drunk and high, swerved to miss a
cat and then ended up running into an oncoming vehicle. Or that
there's a girl I went to school with who sells her body to get high
and doesn't even recognise her old friends half the time. Or that I
know someone who has tried time and time again to kick their
addiction, but just can't seem to keep the quit. Or that I've talked
to someone who had to have supervised visits with her children because
she was addicted to crack. In order to even be able to visit she had
to force herself to stay clean for a certain amount of time. Sometimes
she couldn't even manage this and was therefore not allowed to see her
own children.

But I've seen these things. I know these people. In some cases the
people I've mentioned have been able to pick up the pieces and now
lead successful lives. Others are still struggling, and others I've
lost track of and can only hope for the best, but suspect the worst.

I know not only what drugs can do, but also that they don't
discriminate. Drugs are addictive. That's why people do them over and
over until they've lost control. And they don't care about your race,
creed or how much money you have at the end of the week.

I know some people who think that the things I've written about don't
happen in a small town. Don't kid yourself, drugs and their effects
can take hold anywhere. It makes me sad that people can be so naive.

In Revelstoke, a crystal meth task force was established to help
educate the public about the devastating effects of this drug. I've
seen the effects of this drug first hand and I wouldn't wish the heart
ache it can cause friends and family on my worst enemy.

I hope that reading this column will open up the doors for discussion.
I know I grew up in a household where we talked about things openly. I
don't recall my parents ever outright saying "don't do drugs, drugs
are bad." Instead, I remember discussing what happens to people who do
drugs. No question big or small was out of bounds. I think that's
perhaps why, although I spent many years around them, I never did
cocaine or crystal meth. Sure, I was asked if I wanted to do a line,
have a hit, but I always said no. And, funny thing, that was always
totally cool with everyone else.

Sometimes a picture is more powerful than a million words. The
following Internet links contain videos, photos and information on a
variety of drugs. Parents should be warned that some of the images are
graphic and may be disturbing.

The Odd Squad, www.theoddsquad.com. This website contains a preview of
the video Through A Blue Lens, a video about police officers
chronicling the lives of drug addicts on Vancouver's East Side.

The Meth Project, www.notevenonce.com. A Website containing
information about crystal meth with some very powerful videos. Click
on "view ads" to see them.

DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), www.darebc.org. Join team
DARE.