BUZZED FOR DRUGS

Hairdresser Raises Money, Awareness Through 12-Hour
Cut-A-Thon

Deanna Howell wants to cut the drugs in Labrador West.

The Labrador City hairdresser hosted a 12-hour cut-a-thon at the
Labrador West Youth Centre Nov. 22, as part of a campaign to raise
awareness about drug use.

"I wanted to make kids, parents and anyone who has had any kind of
personal experience with drugs, aware of what's going on in the
community," she stated. "I've never done drugs, but I've had someone
close to me who has, so I wanted to make people aware about what's
going on here."

Howell thinks some people have their heads buried in the sand when it
comes to alcohol and drug abuse, and said it's important for parents
to know kids are using simple items like cough syrup to get high.

The cut-a-thon took place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 22 and she cut
people's hair throughout the day for a minimum donation of $10.
Meghan Byrne, another hairdresser, was also at the event and the
women raised $1,072 throughout the day.

Raelene Fewer, a local musician who struggled with addiction, Captain
Cecil Mitchell, the Salvation Army captain who also had personal
experiences with drugs, as well as RNC Cst. Bill Fitzgerald and Dena
Hobbs, an addictions counsellor, were guest speakers at the
cut-a-thon as well, and Howell said their speeches were inspiring to
everyone who attended.

Booths, complete with information about drugs and alcohol, were also
be set up throughout the day, and there was entertainment available
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a $3 admission fee.

The fee, she said, as well as the proceeds from the cut-a-thon, was
donated to the local Mental Health and Addictions office, as well as
the RNC, for drug awareness.

There was also an opportunity to win prizes at the end of the night -
including a plane ticket anywhere PAL flies - and Kenzie Butt, a
teenage volunteer who was at the cut-a-thon all day, walked away the
winner of the grand prize.

Howell explained she got the idea for the cut-a-thon while at a hair
show last year, but the real reason she feels so strongly about
spreading the drug message is because of the struggle she faced with
her own son.

"If I had known the signs, my son probably wouldn't have went through
what he went through," she explained his fight with drug addiction.
"Maybe he had to go through that, I don't know, but I think right
now, we, as parents, don't know what's on the go here, so we need to
know everything we can to educate ourselves more."

She said she also wants to let teens know there is help out there if
they are struggling with addiction - her son overcame his drug
problem - and if the event saved even one person, it was worth it.

Howell admitted she wished more people attended the cut-a-thon - she
had a lot of people show up for a hair cut, but not as many stayed to
hear the guest speakers - but she's still happy with the end result.

She is definitely considering holding the cut-a-thon next year and
wants to thank everyone who came out to support the worthwhile event.