ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN MAY BE INCREASING DRUG USE

(PERTH) - A campaign to get youths off methamphetamine drugs may
actually be encouraging more use of other dangerous drugs, warns a
local counselling agency. "A frightening trend that we at Choices
for Change have seen over the past year has been more youth using
chemical drugs than ever before," states Karen Zwakenberg in a media release.

"We believe that this is a spinoff of the very valid media
information about meth being so dangerous. The result of this
information for some youth is to play down how dangerous other drugs
are, even if they might previously have considered them dangerous. We
are seeing more youth using dangerous drugs like ecstasy, cocaine,
large amounts of caffeine, hallucinogens, as well as cannabis and alcohol."

Choices for Change: Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Counselling Centre is a
member of the Perth County Taskforce on Crystal Meth, which makes the
warning even more ironic.

Zwakenberg, who notes that Perth County is known as the "meth
capital" of Ontario, says "knowing that meth is dangerous does not
mean that other drugs are safer." She says one of the agency's
clients felt "no one understands how hard it is to go back once you
are part of the drug world...; think of it as a bubble that does not
exist until you are inside of it."

Zwakenberg says young people wishing to talk to someone about
drinking or drugs may set up a confidential interview with a youth
worker by calling 519-271-6730.

The Choices for Change website notes, "We provide free and
confidential counselling services to anyone who has concerns about
their own or someone else's drug and/or alcohol use, or problem
gambling behaviour.

"Our goal is to help you and those you care about regain control of
your life and give you hope for the future. Change is possible! Our
main office is located in downtown Stratford and we have outreach
offices in Listowel, St. Marys, Milverton and Mitchell. As well, our
youth workers provide services in all Perth County high schools."