DRUG CONFERENCE: GLOBAL SOLUTION NEEDED, SAY YOUTH

Drug abuse is a global issue requiring a global solution, delegates to a
conference on preventing drug abuse among youths will tell the United
Nations.

Countries must work together to improve prevention programs, increase
funding and set new priorities, United Nations leaders at s special
planning session in New York this June will be told.

The recommendations were compiled last week in Banff when some 200
delegates from around the world gathered for the Youth Vision Drug Abuse
Prevention Forum.

"I really hope the United Nations takes this seriously,we¼ve worked too
hard for them not to," said Veronica Skog, a 24-year -old from Stockholm.

"And I hope the recommendations concerning better networking are taken
seriously too."

"Programs (around the world) have to start exchanging ideas so they can
solve things together. This is a global issue."

On Saturday a group of delegates, including Calgary¼s Chris Wilby, drew up
draft recommendations based on four days of workshops.

A final plan will be drawn up today. Recommendations are expected to include:

- - urging governments to increase funding and work more closely with youth
by seeking their input when creating new programs.

- - ensuring programs respect a variety of cultures and include different
ideals, religions and languages within their teachings.

- - demanding schools include drug abuse prevention as part of their regular
curriculum.

- - providing more alternative activities for youths at schools and within
their communities, particularly recreational and creative outlets, to steer
them away from drug abuse.

- - delivering more accessible treatment for youths within the health care
system and including outreach services to support youth after they've
returned to the community.

- - seeking more positive images for youth in the media.

- - working with the alcohol industry to make it more difficult for youth to
obtain products.Ideas include increasing taxes, enforcing age limits, and
stricter licensing policies.

- - reducing the accessibility of other products connected to drug-abuse,
such as glue, gasoline and solvents like hairspray, paints and some
cleaning products.

Nancy Snowball, spokeswoman for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission, was impressed with the list of recommendations but not
surprised.

"I was astonished by how well these young people connected, the
conversations were never about the weather or scenery; they were about the
issues."